Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Security

In April 2010, at the Nuclear Security Summit, Japan demonstrated its commitment to the strengthening of nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear security and announced the establishment of the Integrated Comprehensive Support Center for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Nuclear Security in the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), under the guidance and authority of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Science and Technology (MEXT), and in cooperation with other ministries. The goal of the Center is to strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and security in emerging nuclear power countries by sharing Japan's accumulated experiences in its peaceful use of nuclear energy. To achieve its goal, the Center serves three functions: (1) human resource and capacity building, (2) infrastructure development and technical assistance and (3) international coordination and cooperation. The Center will offer three types of training courses to strengthen human resources and capacity building in emerging nuclear power countries. In the Training Course on Nuclear Security, the participants will learn the design and evaluation process for physical protection and detection of and response to illegal or unauthorized acts related to nuclear materials. They will learn these issues not only through lectures and training but also using mockup facilities and virtual reality systems. Second, in the Training Course on Safeguards and State System of Accounting for and Control of Nuclear Material (SSAC), the Center will teach the experience of advanced safeguards activities in Japan for its full-scale nuclear fuel cycle facilities as a non-nuclear weapon state. The participants will learn the IAEA and national safeguards systems, the material accounting system and inspector activities. Third, in the Training on the International Nuclear Nonproliferation Framework, the participants will learn the international framework of nuclear non-proliferation including the IAEA safeguards system and international institutional frameworks. The Center will assist emerging nuclear power countries in the development of institutional and technical infrastructures, which are tailored for specific needs and requests. Support for infrastructure development includes the system of safeguards and nuclear security necessary to introduce nuclear power plants, such as the explanation of Japan's legal system in the field of safeguards and nuclear security. The Center will provide the technical assistance necessary to implement safeguards and nuclear security. In addition, the Center will promote non- proliferation R and D and host students for conducting R and D activities. The Center will promote international coordination and collaboration to strengthen nuclear security and non-proliferation. The Center will tailor training and other assistance to country-specific needs. In addition, the Center will communicate and collaborate with international organizations such as the IAEA and EURATOM, and partner countries, such as the United States, Australia, Korea and China. (author)