Japan's only fast reactor experimental facility "Joyo" To review the target for restarting operation September 22 11:13
It was found that the resumption of operation of the only plutonium-fueled fast reactor in Japan, Joyo, which the government is aiming for practical use, was not in time for the scheduled end of 2022, and the target was revised.
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency wants to restart it after 2024, but the outlook for fast reactor development as a whole is uncertain.
Regarding the development of a fast reactor that uses plutonium as fuel, the fast reactor "Monju" built in Fukui prefecture with a view to practical use was decided to be decommissioned four years ago due to troubles and costs, and a small one in Ibaraki prefecture. "Joyo" is the only fast reactor for experiments.
"Joyo" has been out of operation since 2007 due to a problem, and is currently under review by the Nuclear Regulation Authority. JAEA was planning to carry out construction after the review and resume operation at the end of 2022.
However, we could not see when the examination passed, and it was expected that it would take about three years for the construction and inspection of earthquake and fire countermeasures, so we decided to revise the target in 2022.
Since 2024, domestic manufacturers are planning experiments in "Joyo", and JAEA wants to restart the experiment by that time, but the specific time has not been decided.
Regarding the development of fast reactors, following the decommissioning of "Monju", France, which is conducting joint research, has a policy of forgoing the construction plan of fast reactors for the time being, and the future of development is uncertain as a whole.