Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Governors Invited to Japan
Fukushima Medical University
National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Naka Fusion Institute
TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) Nuclear Science Research Institute
©JAEA
- Five Governors (Ecuador, Indonesia, Belgium, Colombia, India) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited Japan from January 13 to 18 at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of this invitation was to further deepen the understanding of the Ambassadors of each country who serve as Governors of the IAEA Board regarding Japan's efforts in nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
- They visited TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), TEPCO Decommissioning Archive Center and Remains of the earthquake Namie Town Ukedo Elementary School, where they received an explanation about the circumstnces at the time of the earthquake.They also observed Japan’s efforts regarding decommissioning of FNDPS and the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea in a safe and steady manner. In addition, they were welcomed by Fukushima Medical University, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security (ISCN), and National Institute for Quantum Science and Technology Agency (QST) Naka Institute for Fusion Science and Technology to see Japan's cutting-edgetechnologies in fields such as radiation medicine, nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear fusion research. In Tokyo, they paid a courtesy call on Mr. MIYAJI Takuma, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and exchanged opinions on the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the importance of denuclearisation of North Korea, and other topics.
- The participating Governors commented that, by visiting each site on the trip, they were able to touch the straightforward will and aspirations towards the decommissioning of FDNPS and the reconstruction of the Fukushima region. They also deepened their understanding of Japan’s longstanding efforts in the decommissioning and its advanced technologies for peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In addition, the programme was highly praised for enabling participants to engage in frank discussions with experts of cutting-edge technologies, taking into account international trends and each country's policies in the field of nuclear energy.
The IAEA, as one of its main objectives, has been promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and its applications in the fields of medicine, environment, and food security, as well as conducting various technical cooperation activities for developing countries. The peaceful uses of nuclear energy have been attracting more and more attention in recent years as a means of contributing to the resolution of global issues and the achievement of the SDGs.
The IAEA designates and elects 35 countries as the members states of the Board of Governors, and the Ambassadors to Permanent Representative of those states to the International Organizations in Vienna serve as members of the Board. The Board of Governors consists of the designated member states (advanced nuclear nations, including Japan) and elected members (two-year terms).
The purpose of this invitation is to further deepen the international community's understanding of Japan's initiatives in various fields such as peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the efforts towards decommissioning and the discharge of the ALPS treated water into the sea, nuclear non-proliferation, and research and development of nuclear fusion.
This time they made the following visits and courtesy calls (*in order of schedule).
- (1) Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima-Global-Medical Science Center
- (2) TEPCO Decommissioning Archive Center
- (3) TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
- (4) Remains of the earthquake Namie Town Ukedo Elementary School
- (5) National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Naka Fusion Institute
- (6) Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) Nuclear Science Research Institute, Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security (ISCN)
- (7) Courtesy call on Mr. MIYAJI, State Minister for Foreign Affairs