The UK and Japan have agreed a framework on civil nuclear cooperation, providing the basis for UK companies to engage in multi-billion pound decommissioning opportunities in Japan.
The joint framework, agreed at the UK/Japan summit on nuclear energy, sets out that:
• Both countries reaffirm their commitment to working together in the field of civil nuclear energy, particularly in areas that are mutually beneficial. These include Japanese companies’ technical expertise in new plant design and construction, and the UK’s decommissioning and waste-management experience and technology.
• Both countries will work closely on nuclear safety and share expertise on regulation;
• The countries will share expertise, experience and technology in the remediation, decontamination and decommissioning of the Fukushima nuclear site; and
• An annual dialogue will take place between senior UK and Japan officials across the full range of activities associated with civil nuclear energy.
Commenting on the deal, Charles Hendry, minister of state for energy said: “The UK has a wealth of expertise and experience in the area of nuclear decommissioning and waste management. I am in no doubt that cooperation with Japan in these areas will bring mutual benefits.”
Separately, the UK’s Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) and its Japanese opposite number the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) signed a memorandum of understanding on 10 April.
