 President Toshio Okazaki |
Welcome to this second issue of "JAEA R&D Review", informing you of the current R&D activities of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA).
Two years have passed since the establishment of JAEA. We are now reaching the halfway point of the first mid-term plan, a very important period for the achievement of our goals in the R&D activities planned in this term. In addition, for the sake of stable supply of energy and resolution of global environmental problems, the importance of nuclear energy was recognized at the G8 Summit held in Heiligendamm, Germany in June, 2007. With regard to nuclear energy, JAEA is the sole comprehensive R&D institution aiming at facilitating both basic research and practical application programs in Japan. In other words, our research areas cover the whole range from science to technology for peaceful and safe uses of nuclear energy. Through our activities, JAEA has been contributing significantly to creating and improving various innovative technologies related to nuclear energy.
In the field of Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) cycle technology designated as a "Key Technology of National Importance" by the government of Japan, JAEA has been making great efforts to restart "MONJU" (a prototype FBR) and also has been promoting R&D of the FBR cycle for commercialization. Furthermore, JAEA is constructing two underground research laboratories where R&D projects for disposal of high-level radioactive waste are being undertaken. In the field of fusion energy, JAEA strongly promotes the ITER Project and Broader Approach Project which are recognized as Strategically Prioritized Science and Technology, and is entering in the main activities of these projects with various kinds of tests. In the R&D for utilization of quantum beams, JAEA is concentrating efforts for the start-up of "J-PARC" in FY 2008.
The mission of JAEA is to improve the quality of life for all people by innovative advancements in nuclear energy. I strongly believe that JAEA will achieve this goal and become one of the world's most authoritative and comprehensive institutes, what we call a Center of Excellence (COE) for creative and reliable nuclear energy R&D.
This publication constitutes a review of our achievements in the year 2006. It not only provides you with a flavor of some of the work that has been carried out, but also invites you to check the references and contact with the researchers if there are any topics that you wish to learn about. I expect that you will take a few minutes to go to some of the following pages. I would be greatly pleased if I could hear from you with any comments on this publication.
I hope that you enjoy this publication. Thank you very much for your interest.
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