Japanese plutonium suspected in French tests

Article Abstract:

A report prepared by a group of Japanese consumer organizations and produced by the Paris, France-based World Information Service on Energy suggests that France may have utilized plutonium extracted from spent fuel rods sent by Japan for reprocessing in its recent nuclear explosions. These findings gain support from the fact that the consignment of enriched plutonium returned to Japan in late 1992 was not of the same grade as the spent fuels originally sent by Japan. This supports concerns about the implementation of safeguards by international authorities such as International Atomic Energy Authority and Euratom. The reprocessing plant denies the allegations and states only civilian grade plutonium is processed.

France, Testing, Contracts, Military policy, Nuclear weapons, Nuclear testing, Reactor fuel reprocessing, Fuel reprocessing (Nuclear reactors), Spent reactor fuels

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Japan plans furnace reactor to consume Soviet plutonium

Article Abstract:

Japan wants to persuade its Western allies and Russia that a large plutonium furnace fast-breeder reactor should be erected in Russia to eliminate the plutonium the Russians will obtain as they take apart Soviet nuclear weapons. The plutonium furnace variant of fast-breeder technology, in which the Japanese have great expertise, uses plutonium to fuel a nuclear reactor but differs from ordinary breeder reactors in not generating additional plutonium. Japan must overcome the misgivings of the US and other nuclear countries that the disposal of nuclear weapons may endanger international security.

Planning, Usage, Fast reactors, Breeder reactors

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Japan modifies plans for plutonium in wake of protests over shipments

Article Abstract:

Japan's Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation has suggested a means of recycling nuclear fuel that would eliminate the need to produce pure plutonium. This is desirable because pure plutonium can be diverted to weapons use, and the transportation of it to and from processing centers is vulnerable to accidents and hijacking. The new process, if pursued, would take 10 to 15 years to develop, and would not affect power plants currently near completion in Japan.

International aspects, Nuclear industry

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