Status and prospects of nuclear power programs in the Far East

Far Eastern countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan show rapid energy demand growth due to expanding economic development. Each of these countries is considering nuclear energy as an ultimate energy option and is implementing the nuclear power program that reflects its own national circumstances. Even though the degrees of energy demand growth are different from one another depending on the level of industrialization, the energy demand growth is higher than in other regions of the world. And various concerns about nuclear safety and economy are expressed due to the changing sociopolitical environment, but the governments' will to support the nuclear program remains very strong. With such backgrounds, it is the common position in this region that the nuclear power system shall be maintained in the optimum balance with other energy systems, and the best efforts shall be devoted to enhancement of nuclear safety. In Korea, the nuclear energy policy debates with environmentalists, economists, and even with some radical students are becoming noticeable. In Japan, large-scale antinuclear demonstrations were held often this year with the participation of all members of Japanese society. In Taiwan, plans for the construction of nuclear power plants and the expansion of existing radwaste disposal facilities are facing objections from the environmentalists. It can be said that the antinuclear movement in the Far East is somewhat different form European countries and the Untied States in that most of the people in this region admit the importance of nuclear energy. It is quite evident that nuclear energy is an indispensable energy option for the world's future. The ultimate goal of world energy policy is the establishment of sustainable energy systems