Dismantlement of Monju

The government of Japan is finally concluding that a fast breeder reactor in Fukui, named Monju, owned by Japan Atomic Energy Agency, should be dismantled. Monju has not been working with troubles for a long time in spite of a great amount of governmental money poured into the project. The national project for nuclear fuel recycle must be reviewed with the failure of Monju.

Monju started its operation in 1991 with expectation of producing more fuel than it had consumed using mixed oxide fuels. After having an accident of leaking sodium metal from the reactor in 1995, it was 2010 when it resumed its operation, which would be stopped again with another accident three months later. Nuclear Regulation Authority issued a “red card” to Monju, demanding alternative administrator replacing JAEA.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology presented a plan to make Monju independent from JAEA and establish new organization for it. But, electric power companies or plant makers were reluctant to accept the plan and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry became negative on Monju project with intention of accelerating resumption of ordinary nuclear reactors.

Japanese government has already spent up to ¥1 trillion for Monju. It will need ¥20 billion every year for maintaining that fast breeder reactor, in addition to the cost for reinforcing the facility to pass new safety regulation of NRA. To dismantle Monju, it takes ¥300 billion for thirty years necessary for the process. It will cost more than dismantlement of ordinary nuclear reactor used in power plant.

Although METI has not dismissed possibility of fast breeder reactor project, revised Basic Energy Plan in 2014 does not refer to the project. Nuclear recycle plan is now focused on pluthermal power generation that directly uses MOX fuel made with plutonium and uranium in reactors of nuclear power plant. Monju is as obsolete as being a scientific experiment. METI is afraid of the failure of Monju affecting whole nuclear recycle project.

Monju has been called “reactor of dream,” which produces energy eternally. Scientists explored possibility of energy-rich nation with brand-new technology. However, a nation once suffered from unprecedented nuclear disaster only five years ago could not afford a dream of scientific elites who had nothing to do with the suffering caused by radioactive contamination. “With communication between related ministries and organizations, we are considering it. I hope to conclude it soon,” told Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga. Days of Monju are numbered.