Fundamental plan for the development and utilization of atomic energy, 1983

Recently, nuclear power generation has shown very good results of operation, and is playing the important part in power supply as the core of substitute energy for petroleum. It is expected to steadily expand the scale hereafter, but for the purpose, it is indispensable to realize the domestic enrichment of uranium, to establish the reprocessing business in Japan, to promote the measures for the treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes, thus to establish early the independent nuclear fuel cycle. Moreover, it is necessary to endeavor for the development of fast breeder reactors and advanced thermal reactors as the power reactors of next generation. Also the utilization of radiation in medical, industrial and agricultural fields must be spread and expanded more, and the technical level of utilization must be raised. The Atomic Energy Commission decided in June, 1982, the long term plan for the development and utilization of atomic energy. As the measures taken in fiscal 1983, the strengthening of safety measures, the promotion of nuclear power generation, the establishment of nuclear fuel cycle, the development of new type reactors, the research on nuclear fusion, the development of nuclear-powered ships, the promotion of radiation utilization, and the budget for fiscal 1983 related to atomic energy are described. (Kako, I.)