Mr. Masanori Oguchi, who was an advisor at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was appointed as the new chairman of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, which is conducting research on the fast breeder reactor "Monju", which is proceeding with decommissioning, and the new reactor. "The utilization of nuclear technology is an issue, and we would like to take on the issue of safety and utilize the new knowledge and ideas gained through research and development."
Mr. Oguchi is 66 years old.
After graduating from Hokkaido University, he joined Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1978, and after working as Chief Financial Officer, he became an advisor and retired in March.
New President Oguchi, who took office on April 1, said at a press conference, "Nuclear technology is important in constructing the national foundation, and how to utilize it is a big issue. I would like to make use of the new knowledge and ideas I gained through this process. "
Regarding the fast breeder reactor "Monju", which continues to be decommissioned in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, he said, "I want to demonstrate the safety and efficiency of the decommissioning and proceed steadily along the determined time axis." Regarding the nuclear fuel cycle policy of the country that reprocesses spent nuclear fuel and reuses it at nuclear power plants, he said, "We will steadily proceed."
In addition, he expressed his intention to utilize the small fast reactor "Joyo" in Oarai Town, Ibaraki Prefecture, and to cooperate with American companies in the development of fast reactors, which will lead to human resource development and research and development useful for local industries. ..
The term of office of the new president Oguchi is four years until March 2026.