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- Tkao FUJIE
Tkao FUJIE
- I am Takao Fujie, the newly appointed President of the Japan Nuclear Technology Institute (JANTI).
Under the leadership of the first President, Mr. Ishikawa, three years have passed since the establishment of JANTI. During those three years, I was also involved in JANTI’s activities as an advisor.
The mission of JANTI is to support the improvement of the utilities' own safety activities by focusing on the following three pillars: 1. Gathering, analyzing, and utilizing various operating information, 2. Promoting safety culture, and 3. Promoting development of private-sector standards. As a result of individuals’ steady and continuous efforts, these activities are progressing well. Since the fiscal year of 2007, we added our fourth pillar, “Maintaining and fostering nuclear engineers,” and, in April, we established the new Plant Technical Support Division to create the appropriate organizational structure. Specifically, we will engage in skill certification activities (operation manager screening, private sector skill certification), support activities to upgrade the skill base for maintenance, and establish and operate the Nuclear Academy to secure human resources that are capable of contributing to the safe operation of nuclear power plants.
In addition to the above activities, we have also responded to the changes in the situation surrounding nuclear power through various activities. Recently, we conducted a specific review at Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited regarding the issue of their contractor inputting erroneous seismic calculation data and made recommendations to Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited about contractor alignment. In addition, regarding the Niigata Chuetsu-oki Earthquake, which shocked the entire world, accurate information about the situation was not being conveyed abroad, so we began disseminating information in English two days after the earthquake and facilitated the understanding of related overseas organizations. Furthermore, in February of this year, we co-organized the “International Symposium on Seismic Safety of Nuclear Power Plants and Lessons Learned from the Niigataken Chuetsu-oki Earthquake” with the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI) and the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF). Though it was the first event of its kind hosted by the private sector, it was an extremely successful symposium with many participants attending from the local community as well as from abroad.
Through these activities, JANTI’s presence is beginning to be recognized. However, I believe we need to accurately assess whether our past performance has met our members’ expectations and whether it is being used effectively, and we need to use this information to improve. Furthermore, JANTI must become a closer presence for, not only members, but for the wider public. To do so, we must heighten our technical capability to become a more highly trusted group of professionals. Steady and sure executions of regular activities is a must, but I believe streamlining organizational management and transforming mindsets is necessary for flexibility and immediate response to situations such as external environmental changes and unplanned requests.
Moreover, as was seen through the press coverage of incidents at nuclear power stations and the Niigata Chuetsu-oki Earthquake, we are faced with the reality of an overflow of information that foments more fear than is necessary. Unfortunately, it seems that society does not give its complete trust when the information is only provided by the utility or regulating authorities. It is also true that the actual parties involved may not be able to respond because they are addressing the situation at hand. I believe the importance of JANTI providing adequate and easy-to-understand information on behalf of the parties involved in such situations is increasing more and more. We will continue with our external information distribution and dialogue activities with the media and other parties that we have conducted, but we will also provide appropriate, timely, and highly reliable information domestically and globally to improve the safety of nuclear power and to facilitate understanding. To this end, we hope to gain cooperation from the parties involved to provide such much-needed information.
Meanwhile, looking at the actual field of nuclear power plants, the vibrant energy of the past is now gone, and they seem to be worn out by the long-lasting winds that continue to blow against them. Japan’s world-leading performance in the nuclear power generation of the past has declined considerably and is lagging behind the global standard as was shown in the “Lost 10 Years" when the capacity factor and the exposure dose rate deteriorated. We, at JANTI, will respond strongly to such issues, aiming to revitalize the nuclear industry.
We appreciate your continued support and cooperation.
Takao Fujie, President
April 25, 2008
