Press Releases
Signing on “Framework Agreement for International Collaboration on Research and Development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems”
On January 29, the signing ceremony of the “Framework Agreement for International Collaboration on Research and Development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems” was held in Paris, and Mr. SHIMMI Jun, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the OECD, participated in the ceremony, and signed the Framework Agreement.
- This Framework Agreement was created to continue the international joint research and development of the Generation IV Systems being conducted under the current Framework Agreement, which expires on February 28, 2025.
- Since Japan, France, Switzerland, and the United States have completed the procedures to conclude this Framework Agreement, the Framework Agreement is going to enter into force on March 1, 2025, pursuant to its provision.
- By the entry into force of this Framework Agreement, it is expected that joint research and development of the Generation IV Systems will be further promoted between Japan and other Parties.
A framework for international cooperation on research and development of Generation IV Systems, established in 1999 by the call of the United States. The GIF members are composed of 13 countries and Euratom: Japan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, South Korea, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The GIF identified six Generation IV Systems: Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor System, Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor System, Molten Salt Reactor System, Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor System, Supercritical-Water-Cooled Reactor System, and Very-High-Temperature Reactor System, for research and development, and prepared research and development plans including the safety and nonproliferation matters of such Systems.
An agreement signed by Japan, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among 10 countries and 1 international organization participating in GIF at the time of February 2005, which established a framework for cooperation in research and development.
Subsequently, Switzerland, Korea, Euratom, China, South Africa, and Russia, which are members of the GIF, joined the Framework Agreement. In February 2015, an agreement was concluded to extend the period of the Framework Agreement for 10 years until February 28, 2025. Subsequently, Australia joined the Framework Agreement in 2017.