Global Nuclear Fuel Allianace Taking Form

[phantom power]

An international Washington-proposed program to provide nuclear fuel to developing nations may impinge on the current Japan-U.S. pact for atomic energy cooperation.

Japanese government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that while Japan has agreed to take part in the Bush administration's new initiative, it may infringe the 1988 U.S.-Japanese agreement for cooperation on peaceful uses of atomic energy, as the proposed agreement specially bans the transfer of recycling technology for neutralizing nuclear waste.

(...)

Japan is also a world leader in reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, which can recover up to 95 percent of a depleted fuel rod's remaining uranium and plutonium for blending into new fuel rods.

Washington's proposal includes conducting joint U.S.-Japanese fuel development using Japan's "Joyo" and "Monju"' experimental and prototype fast-breeder nuclear reactors, in addition to designing U.S. fuel cycle facilities and establishing safeguards for fuel cycle facilities based on Japanese experiences.

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Global_Nuclear_Fuel_Allianace_Taking_Form.html