The research reactor of Kinki University Atomic Energy Research Institute in Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture has resumed operation for the first time in three years.This is the first research reactor in Japan that has passed the safety examination of the new regulatory standards and resumed operation after the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.Kinki University will utilize it for practical training of students and promote the development of human resources who handle nuclear power.
According to Kinki University, the research reactor was installed in 1960. It reached its first criticality in 1961 and has been used to educate students nationwide, including at other universities.With the enforcement of the new regulatory standards for test and research reactors, the operation was suspended in February 2014 and examined by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, and passed in May 2.We are proceeding with the construction of new fire protection windows, the separation of safety protection system cables, and the development of fixed waste storage rooms.
According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the number of students wishing to work for a nuclear-related company has dropped sharply in the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, and securing human resources has become an urgent issue.The number of university faculty members specializing in the nuclear field is decreasing, and the national government is considering training and securing human resources to support safety.
Tetsuo Ito, Director of the Institute for Nuclear Energy, Kinki University, said, "Regardless of the nuclear energy policy, the need for human resources with knowledge of nuclear energy is increasing. We will continue to do our utmost to develop human resources who will be responsible for nuclear energy."
Other than Kinki University, the research reactor and criticality test equipment of the Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute in Kumatori-cho, Osaka have passed the safety examination, and it is expected that they will be able to resume operation within the year.
