for use at the fast-breeder reactor.
The government plans to put the reprocessing plant into operation around 2045 when the existing reprocessing plant in the village of Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, is expected to have finished operations.
The MOX fuel produced at the new reprocessing plant may be used for plutonium-thermal reactors if the development of the fast-breeder reactor is delayed or global demand for uranium eases. However, if uranium supplies become tight, the government may speed up work on the fast-breeder reactor.
The Atomic Energy Commission, in a nuclear energy platform released in September, proposed that commercial-based fast-breeder reactors will be introduced around 2050. But the commission, which works out a long-term program of research, development and use of nuclear energy, did not provide any specific plans in the document to develop fast-breeder reactors.
Monju, Japan's sole experimental fast-breeder reactor, has remained shut down since a sodium leak and subsequent fire occurred there in December 1995. It is located in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, along the Sea of Japan coast.
It began producing power in August 1995. But on Dec. 8 that year, the fire broke out after coolant sodium leaked from a fatigued thermometer well.
The operator then tried to cover up the extent of the accident.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.