Meeting with Chinese Experts on Atomic Energy to Exchange Views and Information (Outline)

May 20, 2011
Japanese

On Friday, May 20, a meeting on atomic energy to exchange views and information was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs among Chinese atomic energy experts and related Japanese ministries, agencies and organizations on an overview of the incident at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant, radiation estimation and monitoring operations, and safety systems/measures for nuclear power plants. This meeting was attended by many personnel in charge of atomic energy issues in their own respective ministries, agencies and organizations on both sides, resulting in a lively exchange of opinions and information.
At the meeting, the Japanese side explained an overview of the incident at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant and answered questions about several specific points. The Japanese side also explained Japan's initiatives for radiation estimation and monitoring and took questions on how estimations are being made. The Chinese side explained its monitoring operations as well as the efforts it is making to educate its populace about atomic energy, among other matters. Both sides explained the safety systems/measures in place at nuclear power plants.
During the discussion on the safety of atomic energy, the Japanese side took up the issue of how malicious rumors had harmed the agriculture and fisheries industries, and requested that China take action on this issue based on scientific data. The Chinese side responded that while scientists correctly understand the effects of radiation, it is difficult to make the public understand; nevertheless, the Chinese side reported that they would communicate Japan's message to the relevant agencies. The Japanese side also requested that actions be taken based on scientific data with regard to radiation inspections being carried out by sea craft and other vessels around China. The Japanese side explained that among the initiatives of the Japanese Government were information briefings for diplomatic corps in Tokyo.
Both sides came to a consensus on continuing with proactive exchanges and cooperation in the future.

*Experts and specialists representing the following agencies attended the meeting:

From Japan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Nuclear Safety Commission; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT); Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF); Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency; Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization

From China: China Atomic Energy Authority, China Institute of Atomic Energy, China Institute for Radiation Protection, China Nuclear Power Engineering Co., Ltd. (CNPEC), and other agencies

(*This is a provisional translation. The above date denotes the date of the issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

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