Fig.10-1 Summary of the activities of the ISCN and affiliated institutions
The Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security (ISCN) conducted numerous activities of technological and human resources development related to nuclear nonproliferation and security in cooperation with affiliated domestic and overseas institutions toward establishing a world without the threat of nuclear weapons or nuclear terrorism (Fig.10-1).
Technology Development for Japanese and International Applications
Numerous technologies are being developed to strengthen nuclear nonproliferation and security in line with domestic and international trends. A current project on nuclear material detection and measurement includes the development of a nondestructive assay technology to measure nuclear material retaining high radiation levels by using an external pulsed neutron source (Topic 10-1) and conducting wide-area monitoring to strengthen nuclear security at large-scale events. Nuclear forensics technology used to identify the origin and processing history of nuclear materials used in criminal acts has been improved. The development of artificial intelligence–based small, low-cost detectors for first responders following an act of nuclear terrorism and forensic nuclear signature analyzers is ongoing. These developments will help to improve nuclear forensic capabilities through international joint sample analysis exercises. Furthermore, methodologies to evaluate and reduce the attractiveness of nuclear or radioactive material for nuclear terrorism are being developed in collaboration with the United States of America (U.S.).
Policy Research Based on Technical Expertise
Based on requests from related administrative agencies, ISCN continually researches and investigates the technical processes of methods for disposing nuclear materials that can be weaponized and rendering inoperable or dismantling materials manufacturing facilities and verifying them from the viewpoint of effective and efficient denuclearization, with reference to the case research and factor analysis for achieving the past denuclearization addressed by March 2021 and the ISCN updates “Nuclear Nonproliferation Pocketbook” and “Nuclear Nonproliferation Trends”.
Capacity-Building Support
The ISCN has conducted capacity-building support activities targeting Asian countries since 2011. As of March 2021, about 5,300 participants－mainly from Asian countries including Japan－have joined the ISCN training activities on nuclear nonproliferation (safeguards) and nuclear security. In fiscal year 2021, despite the persisting influence of COVID-19 pandemic, the ISCN implemented online methods, including a physical–virtual hybrid style, to continue supporting capacity building. The ISCN also developed materials using videos to provide more effective online trainings. These capacity-building support activities have contributed to human resource development in Asia and have received high praise internationally and domestically.
Contributions to the International Verification Regime for CTBT
To establish a global verification regime for nuclear testing, the JAEA has operated provisionally the international monitoring system facilities of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the national data center. Additionally, based on the voluntary contribution of the Government of Japan to the CTBT Organization (CTBTO) in February 2017, a joint radioactive noble-gas measurement project by the JAEA and CTBTO has been conducted in Horonobe in Hokkaido and Mutsu in Aomori since 2018 for strengthening the capability of the CTBTO to detect nuclear tests. This project continues observations to elucidate the behavior of the radioactive xenon background, mainly in the East Asian region, and is making a significant contribution to realizing national policies. It has been agreed to extend the duration of the project until March 2024 at most.
Support for the JAEA’s Transportation of Nuclear Fuels and Procurement of Research Reactor Fuels
The ISCN coordinates and supports the research and development centers of the JAEA by procuring and transporting the necessary fresh fuel for research reactors and then transporting the spent fuel. The ISCN has been contributing to the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI), which has been strengthening global nuclear security by promoting the systematic return of highly enriched uranium to the U.S.
Efforts to Promote Public Understanding on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security
The ISCN promotes the understanding of nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear security at home and abroad by delivering the ISCN Newsletter that publishes articles on international trends and analyses of nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear security and ISCN activities and by hosting the International Forum on Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy.
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