Ten Japanese companies have decided to have spent fuel equivalent to 600tU reprocessed in France rather than at Japan’s own reprocessing plant. The companies – including TEPCO, Kansai, Hokkaido, Toholu, Chubu, Hokuriku, Kyushu and JAPCO – are planning to negotiate a contract with Cogema by early next year. The utilities have reportedly reached their decision because of the limited capacity of the Rokkasho reprocessing plant, still under construction, and fears that lack of spent fuel storage at power plants could eventually force plant closures.
