Preliminary assessment of geological disposal system for spent fuel in Japan; First progress report on direct disposal

Radioactive Waste Processing and Disposal Research Department

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency has prepared the technical progress report on preliminary assessment of geological disposal for spent fuel (hereinafter referred to as "First Progress Report on Direct Disposal"). This report is aiming to examine the technical feasibility of the direct disposal of spent fuel in Japan, based on the results of research and development (R&D) on SF direct disposal carried out during FY 2013. In the First Progress Report on Direct Disposal, the available technology for the direct disposal of spent fuel in Japan was discussed through the preliminary design and safety assessment for the geological disposal system which were made under the limited conditions of representative characteristics of geological environment and spent fuel. Through R&D, the challenges and concerns on the engineering technology and the safety assessment, to be resolved for the Second Progress Report on Direct Disposal, were identified and classified.