The role of fast breeder reactors in Japan

Japan is now actively pushing forward the policies of securing stable supply of oil, development of alternative sources of energy, and conservation of energy. The nuclear energy plays a key role in the alternative sources. The nuclear power generating capacity is projected to reach 90,000 MW in 2000. The FBR is being actively developed as a national project in view of utilizing uranium resources effectively and establishing an independent nuclear fuel cycle in Japan. The experimental reactor ''JOYO'' has been successfully operated for about five years. A 280 MW prototype reactor ''MONJU'' is now in the process of safety evaluation by the Nuclear Safety Commission and is to achieve the criticality in about 1990. The conceptual design of a 1,000 MW demonstration reactor is also in progress, and the construction is projected to start in the early 1990s