The first domestically produced research reactor in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture, the "JRR-3", which had been shut down, passed regular inspections after undergoing construction work that complies with new regulatory standards, and has passed regular inspections for about 10 years and 3 months. It restarted for the first time.
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency's "JRR-3" in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture, was the first domestically produced research reactor that began operation in 1958, and after undergoing large-scale remodeling work, the nuclear accident occurred. From November of the previous year, we started regular inspections and stopped operation.
After passing the examination of the new regulatory standards three years ago, seismic retrofitting of buildings and exhaust stacks and work to supply water to the reactor pool to cool fuel from the outside were completed by last month, and the fission reaction started on the 15th of this month. Has been inspected by making it continuous critical.
On the 26th, the final inspection to operate the reactor at maximum output was carried out, and in the central control room, the inspection staff of JAEA confirmed that there were no abnormalities in the radiation amount and temperature of the cooling water, and passed the inspection. did.
According to the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, it will be used for research at universities and companies using neutrons generated by fission reactions from June.
Hiroyuki Oikawa, director of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency's Nuclear Science Research Institute, said, "We want to drive with the understanding of the local community on the premise of ensuring safety and contribute to academic and industrial use."