Physical protection of nuclear material in Japan

The paper discusses physical protection in Japan in six sections: establishment of the physical protection concept in Japan, law and regulation systems for physical protection and their application, R and D for physical protection of nuclear material, international co-operation, current issues and conclusion. While most items currently implemented in physical protection measures had been employed previously for facility control in Japan, systematic measures were taken for the first time under the concept of physical protection in the early 1970s. The policy of the government regarding physical protection was determined in 1980, but the legal implementation was in 1987. Three current issues are discussed: nuclear material smuggling, the Aum-Shinri-kyo cult and information disclosure. Although safety in Japan is said to have deteriorated lately, Japan is still the safest country in the world, and it can be said that physical protection has operated smoothly. (author)