Was the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency truly fulfilling its function as an industry regulator? This is a question that arose following the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Today we stand before what was once the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency NISA.
NISA was a crucial part of Japan’s nuclear oversight. It existed as a branch of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy. This was under the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry METI. NISA’s main office was in Kasumigaseki Chiyoda Tokyo. It worked alongside the Japanese Atomic Energy Commission. NISA also had regional offices. The agency performed oversight for industry as requested by the Japanese government.
Established in 2001 NISA aimed to ensure nuclear safety. However its structure faced criticism. Being part of METI created a conflict of interest. METI was responsible for promoting nuclear power. This dual role compromised NISA’s independence.
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in March 2011 exposed these flaws. A government report to the International Atomic Energy Agency highlighted NISA’s lack of independence. This hampered a quick response to the disaster.
Following Fukushima questions arose about NISA’s effectiveness. Did it truly regulate the industry? Should it even continue to exist?
The Asahi newspaper reported plans to merge NISA with the Nuclear Safety Commission. The goal was to create a new nuclear safety agency. This new agency would be under the environment ministry.
In August 2011 an independent panel investigated allegations. NISA was accused of influencing public symposiums on nuclear energy. Electric power companies confessed to lining up participants. They asked prearranged questions favoring nuclear power on NISA’s instructions. The panel investigated if other companies were involved.
Banri Kaieda then Minister of Economy Trade and Industry announced his intention to sack three senior nuclear policy officials. He wanted to refresh and revitalize the ministry.
On August 12 2011 the Japanese Cabinet decided to separate NISA from METI. The ministry was too involved in promoting nuclear energy. The new nuclear watchdog would function directly under the Ministry of the Environment.
This was part of efforts to review the country’s nuclear administration. NISA would merge with the Nuclear Safety Commission. The Environment Ministry was already involved in disposing of radiation-contaminated debris.
Documents revealed that the Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization JNES copied an inspection manual. The manual came from Global Nuclear Fuel Japan Co a fuel-rod supplier that was subject to JNES investigations. The faulty manual was copied almost completely. Errors were missed.
Masaharu Kudo deputy head of inspections initially denied using the data as-is. After official requests he admitted the documents were identical. However he saw no problem because JNES and the nuclear fuel firm consult each other.
JNES staff later noticed discrepancies in fuel rod length. The manual was not closely checked beforehand. NISA ordered JNES to make corrections and improve screening procedures.
In November 2011 JNES formed an independent committee to investigate how inspection protocols were compiled. The committee would include legal experts known for a cautious approach to nuclear policies.
In July 2004 it was discovered that the Japanese government estimated the costs of disposing radioactive waste. Kazumasa Kusaka denied the very existence of these data. Kusaka and Yasui were reprimanded for giving an incorrect answer to the Diet.
A similar cover-up happened in 2002. A Russian document offering to accept spent nuclear fuel from Japan was kept secret. This promoted the reprocessing of radioactive waste.
Masaya Yasui had instructed his subordinate to conceal the data. In 2011 Yasui was appointed as counselor in charge of reform of nuclear power safety regulations. The ministry reinvestigated the case.
On September 19 2012 the Nuclear Regulation Authority NRA replaced NISA. The NRA is now located at \u3012106-8450 \u6771\u4eac\u90fd\u6e2f\u533a\u516d\u672c\u67281\u4e01\u76ee9\u756a9\u53f7. You can reach them at +81-3-3581-3352. The Nuclear Regulation Authority continues the work of ensuring nuclear safety in Japan. It operates with greater independence than its predecessor.