Japan’s nuclear materials ‘imbalanced’
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THE supply and demand of Japan’s stockpiled nuclear materials is imbalanced, triggering safety concerns that could affect the world, according to a Chinese study yesterday.
“The fact that Japan accumulates more and more weapon-grade fissile materials, especially separated plutonium, will put Japan, and its neighboring countries and the whole world at risk,” a joint study by China Arms Control and Disarmament Association and the China Institute of Nuclear Information and Economics said.
With the Rokkasho reprocessing plant starting next year, the problem could become worse and may lead to a vicious cycle, the study said. Citing the latest data from the Japanese government submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency, it found Japan has 47.8 tons of highly sensitive separated plutonium, 10.8 tons of which are stored in Japan, enough to make 1,350 nuclear warheads.
“Once the Rokkasho reprocessing plant under construction starts operating, Japan could obtain the ability of producing eight tons of separated plutonium annually,” the study said.
In addition, Japan has about 1.2 tons of highly-enriched uranium for research reactors, according to the study.
“Japan does not need that much enriched uranium for producing nuclear energy. So we are suspicious for any ulterior motives by the Japanese government to invest such a large amount of money in that,” said Zhu Xuhui, a senior consultant affiliated with the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association.
“Japan’s nuclear materials problem is not insolvable,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. “The linchpin lies in its sincere and responsible attitude, adopting tangible measures to address the concerns of the international community.”
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