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Nakajima, Toru*; Sueoka, Shigeru; Fukuda, Shoma; King, G. E.*; Tagami, Takahiro*
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 690, p.120184_1 - 120184_9, 2026/09
Times Cited Count：1 Percentile：78.02(Geochemistry & Geophysics)Sueoka, Shigeru; Fukuda, Shoma; Nakajima, Toru; Tagami, Takahiro*
Chikei, 47(1), p.3 - 39, 2026/06
Nagasumi, Satoru; Hasegawa, Toshinari; Iigaki, Kazuhiko; Nakagawa, Shigeaki; Kubo, Shinji; Shimazaki, Yosuke; Nakajima, Kunihiro; Sakurai, Yosuke; Shinohara, Masanori; Saito, Kenji; et al.
Nuclear Engineering and Design, 446(Part A), p.114542_1 - 114542_14, 2026/01
Times Cited Count：1 Percentile：0.00(Nuclear Science & Technology)To demonstrate HTGR's safety features, a loss-of-forced-cooling (LOFC) test was conducted using the HTTR. In this test, the forced cooling in the reactor core was intentionally lost by shutting down all helium gas circulators (HGCs) without reactor scram. During steady-state operation at 100% reactor power (30 MW), after the LOFC, the reactor power spontaneously decreased. This power reduction occurred due to the negative reactivity feedback effect triggered by an increase in core temperature. The power stabilized at a lower value of 1.2% after re-criticality. Additionally, the measured radioactivity concentration in the primary coolant remained nearly unchanged during this LOFC operation and during an immediately subsequent HTTR operation. This indicates no failure of the coated particle fuel, even after the increase in core temperature associated with the LOFC event. These results provide experimental evidence of the safety features of HTGRs.
Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru; Nakajima, Toru; Kohn, B.*; Tagami, Takahiro*
Fuisshon, Torakku Nyusureta, (38), p.17 - 21, 2025/12
no abstracts in English
Nishiyama, Nariaki; Nakajima, Toru*; Shimada, Koji; Niwa, Masakazu
Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi ATOMO
, 67(11), p.635 - 639, 2025/11
no abstracts in English
Hasegawa, Toshinari; Nagasumi, Satoru; Kubo, Shinji; Iigaki, Kazuhiko; Shinohara, Masanori; Nakagawa, Shigeaki; Shimazaki, Yosuke; Nakajima, Kunihiro; Sakurai, Yosuke
Proceedings of 2025 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2025) (Internet), 6 Pages, 2025/09
JAEA has planned a hydrogen production test using the High-Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) to demonstrate hydrogen production utilizing the heat from a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). To realize the coupling of a hydrogen production facility with an HTGR, one of the key issues is to confirm the effect of thermal load fluctuations in the facility on the reactor. In this study, a thermal load fluctuation test was conducted during HTTR operation to investigate the reactor's response. The test was performed at 90% reactor power, during which the reactor inlet coolant temperature was increased by 11
C to simulate a thermal load fluctuation. As a result, the reactor outlet coolant temperature remained almost unchanged, and the heat corresponding to the inlet temperature increase was absorbed by the core graphite blocks. Furthermore, due to the negative reactivity feedback effect associated with the rise in graphite block temperature, the reactor power decreased to 88% and stabilized without any control rod operation. These findings indicate that disturbances in the reactor inlet coolant temperature are mitigated by the heat storage capacity of the core graphite blocks.
Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru; Nakajima, Toru; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Wall, C. J.*; Danhara, Toru*; Iwano, Hideki*; Tagami, Takahiro*
Fuisshon, Torakku Nyusureta, (37), p.11 - 13, 2024/12
In recent years, advances in analytical technology have made it possible to measure the U-Th-Pb dating of young geological units (e.g. 
1 Ma). However, there are very few young standard samples available for evaluation. In this study, we attempted U-Pb dating using isotope dilution Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ID-TIMS) on young zircon samples (TRG04 and OGPK). As a result, we obtained preliminary U-Pb ages of 2.6654 
0.0016 Ma and 1.1266 0.0014 Ma, respectively.
Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Sueoka, Shigeru; Ishihara, Takanori; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki; Asamori, Koichi; Murakami, Osamu; Fukuda, Shoma; Ogita, Yasuhiro; Kagami, Saya; et al.
JAEA-Research 2024-013, 65 Pages, 2024/11
JAEA-Research-2024-013.pdf:4.22MB
This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 2nd fiscal year of the JAEA 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques. The current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.
Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Akiomi; Asamori, Koichi; Sueoka, Shigeru; Komatsu, Tetsuya; Nakajima, Toru; Ogata, Manabu; Uchida, Mao; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Tanaka, Kiriha; et al.
JAEA-Review 2024-035, 29 Pages, 2024/09
JAEA-Review-2024-035.pdf:1.24MB
This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), in fiscal year 2024. The objectives and contents of this research are described in detail based on the JAEA 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028). In addition, the background of this research is described from the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques.
Nakajima, Toru; Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru; Niki, Sota*; Kawakami, Tetsuo*; Danhara, Toru*; Tagami, Takahiro*
Geochronology (Internet), 6(3), p.313 - 323, 2024/07
In this study, we explored the impacts of radiation damage and chemical composition on the etching time of fission tracks in monazite. Despite the potential of monazite fission-track (MFT) dating as an ultralow-temperature thermochronology, the comprehensive effects of radiation damage and non-formula elements, especially on the etching rate of MFTs, remain unexplored, and established analytical procedures are lacking. We quantified the degree of radiation damage (dFHWM) in Cretaceous to Quaternary monazites distributed in the Japan arc through Raman spectroscopy and chemical composition analyses. Subsequently, MFT etching was performed to examine the correlation between these parameters and the etching time. Estimation of the degree of radiation damage showed an increase in radiation damage corresponding to the cooling age of each geological unit. For example, the Toya ignimbrite (ca. 0.1 Ma) and the Kurobegawa granodiorite (0.8 Ma), both of which are types of monazite from Quaternary geological units, have dFHWM values of 0.27 and 0.55 cm
, respectively. In contrast, the Muro ignimbrite (ca. 15 Ma) has a dFHWM value of 4.01 cm, while the Kibe granite and the Sagawa granite, both of which are Cretaceous granitoids, yielded 7.35 and 6.31 cm, respectively. MFT etching of these samples according to the existing recipe (6M HCl at 90C for 60-90 min) was completed at 1200, 860, 210, 120, and 90 min for the Toya ignimbrite, Kurobegawa granodiorite, Muro ignimbrite, Sagawa granite, and Kibe granite, respectively.
Nishiyama, Nariaki; Nakajima, Toru; Goto, Akira*; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Shimada, Koji; Niwa, Masakazu
Earth and Space Science (Internet), 11(6), p.e2023EA003360_1 - e2023EA003360_15, 2024/06
Times Cited Count：1 Percentile：8.16(Astronomy & Astrophysics)Earthquakes with magnitudes of 6-7 have been reported even in various active tectonic settings where fault deformation topography have not been detected. Therefore, delineating concealed active faults generating such earthquakes is necessary to reduce earthquake damage; however, few studies exist to provide its clues regarding such faults. The 1984 Western Nagano Earthquake in Japan was a main shock with a magnitude of Mj 6.8 and a depth of 2 km at the source. Solid bedrocks are well-exposed in the earthquake source region; however, no surface rupture have been identified, and the active fault is known to be concealed. In this study, we collected data on striations observed in fractures by geological survey around the source area of the 1984 Western Nagano Earthquake. Using the collected data, the multiple inverse method was used to estimate the stresses that affected the striation formation. Consequently, stresses similar to acting faults in this area were detected in minor faults around the known concealed active fault. This suggests that the minor faults might be part of the damage zone that has been developed around the concealed active fault. Some minor faults were recognized in Quaternary volcanic rocks, confirming that they experienced displacements recently. This study indicates the possibility of detecting concealed active faults in the bedrock by geological survey.
Hasegawa, Toshinari; Nagasumi, Satoru; Nemoto, Takahiro; Nakajima, Kunihiro; Yokoyama, Keisuke; Fujiwara, Yusuke; Arakawa, Ryoki; Iigaki, Kazuhiko; Inoi, Hiroyuki; Kawamoto, Taiki
Proceedings of 2024 International Congress on Advanced in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2024) (Internet), 10 Pages, 2024/06
The filter element of the primary gas circulators (PGC) in High Temperature engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) and its deposits were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis to find the cause of the increase of the filter differential pressure during the operation in 2021. SEM observation showed that the clumpy deposits and fibrous deposits smaller than the filtration pore size and the rod-shaped deposits larger than the pore size were present on the filter element. EDX analysis showed that the clumpy deposits and fibrous deposits could include silicone oil in the primary helium purification system (PHPS) gas circulators and that the rod-shaped deposits were thermal insulators inside of the co-axial double pipes in the primary cooling system. It is considered that silicone oil leaked from the PHPS gas circulators due to deterioration in the absorption performance of the activated charcoal filter. Next, it could be vaporized and reach PGC's filter element after passing through the reactor core. Since those deposits including silicone oil were present over the entire surface of the filter element, the filter differential pressure could be increased due to a reduction in the pore size and a rise in its flow resistance. The thermal insulator was unrelated to filter clogging because it was present mainly in the lower part of the filter element. Therefore, silicone oil could increase the filter differential pressure, and the graphite powder, which is the cause of the previous issue was unrelated.
Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Terusawa, Shuji*; Goto, Akira*; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Nakajima, Toru; Ishihara, Takanori; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki
Island Arc, 33(1), p.e12516_1 - e12516_16, 2024/02
Times Cited Count：2 Percentile：17.92(Geosciences, Multidisciplinary)To investigate the geological evidence of near-surface crustal deformations in a high-strain shear zone that has been geodetically identified but not associated with clear tectonic landforms, a fieldwork was conducted in E-W trending southern Kyushu high-strain shear zone, Japan. According to our study, an investigation based on the slip data from minor faults and the occurrences of fracture zones could help to identify a concealed fault that is small in terms of size to record tectonic landforms but can trigger large earthquakes.
Ishikawa, Norito; Fukuda, Shoma; Nakajima, Toru; Ogawa, Hiroaki; Fujimura, Yuki; Taguchi, Tomitsugu*
Materials, 17(3), p.547_1 - 547_21, 2024/02
Times Cited Count：5 Percentile：45.46(Chemistry, Physical)Natural monoclinic zirconia (baddeleyite) was irradiated with 340-MeV Au ions, and the irradiation-induced nanostructures (i.e., ion tracks and nanohillocks) were observed using transmission electron microscopy. The diameter of the nanohillocks is approximately 10 nm, which is similar to the maximum molten region size calculated using the analytical thermal spike model. Ion tracks are imaged as strained regions that maintain their crystalline structure. The cross-sections of most of the ion tracks are imaged as parallelopiped or rectangular contrasts as large as 10 nm. These results strongly indicate that the molten region is recrystallized anisotropically, reflecting the lattice structure. Furthermore, low-density track cores are formed in the center of the ion tracks. The formation of low-density track cores can be attributed to the ejection of molten matter toward the surface.
Nakajima, Toru; Sueoka, Shigeru; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Kohn, B. P.*; Ramos, N. T.*; Tsutsumi, Hiroyuki*; Tagami, Takahiro*
Earth, Planets and Space (Internet), 75(1), p.176_1 - 176_11, 2023/12
Times Cited Count：6 Percentile：48.05(Geosciences, Multidisciplinary)Geo- and thermochronological methods were applied to dioritic rocks from the Cordillera Central, Luzon, Philippines, to understand their emplacement and exhumation history in the island arc mountains. Zircon U-Pb ages range from 32.54 0.70 to 6.11 0.15 (2SE) Ma, indicating that dioritic magmas intruded the middle and upper crust intermittently during Tertiary magmatism. Zircon fission-track (ZFT) pooled ages range from 35.63 2.17 to 6.91 0.36 (2SE) Ma, and are generally comparable with the U-Pb ages at each locality. These results suggest that the diorites cooled rapidly below 250-350 degree, (i.e. through the partial annealing zone of the ZFT system), following their intrusion. On the other hand, the zircon and apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He (ZHe and AHe) weighted mean ages, ranging from 11.71 0.36 to 8.82 0.26 and 9.21 0.52 to 0.98 0.088 (2SE) Ma respectively, indicate a decrease in cooling rates at a lower temperature range, especially through the partial retention zone of the AHe system. This observation suggests that the ZFT ages reflect initial cooling of the dioritic magma, whereas the AHe ages reflect the cooling history associated with regional exhumation following the initial cooling phase. Spatial distribution of the AHe ages suggest that rapid exhumation of the Cordillera Central during the Quaternary resulted from the block-like uplift of the entire mountain range.
Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Nakajima, Toru; Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru; Yagi, Koshi*; Yokoyama, Tatsunori
Fuisshon, Torakku Nyusureta, (36), p.9 - 13, 2023/12
Zircon U-Pb and fission track (FT) dating and moonstone (sanidine) K-Ar dating of the Wassogatake Formation in the southern part of Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture were carried out as part of the search for zircon standard materials for dating. The weighted average U-Pb dates obtained from the three samples are ca. 21.9-21.7 Ma, overlapping within the uncertainty range. Zircon FT and moonstone K-Ar dates were obtained younger ages from some samples. In addition, the track lengths of the three samples are short. Based on the above results, the zircons of the Wassogatake Formation are effective for the high closure temperature dating method (e.g., U-Pb dating), but are not suitable for the low closure temperature dating method (e.g., FT dating).
Nakajima, Toru; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru
Chishitsugaku Zasshi (Internet), 129(1), p.503 - 507, 2023/11
Zircon U-Pb dating was carried out on granitic rocks from plutons in the Taiheizan Complex in Akita Prefecture, NE Japan. Two granodiorites from the Main Intrusive Rocks yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U dates of 103.41.0 Ma and 115.61.1 Ma (1SE). Three porphyrygranite from the Young Intrusive Rocks yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U dates of 11.40.1 Ma, 4.70.1Ma, and 4.80.1 Ma (1SE). The older and younger dates can be interpreted as the ages of early and later stages of granitic intrusion at the sampling locations. The Pliocene U-Pb dates suggest that the Nibetsu Body in the Young Intrusive Rocks is one of the youngest granitic plutons currently exposed on Earth.
Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Sueoka, Shigeru; Fujita, Natsuko; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Ogita, Yasuhiro; Fukuda, Shoma; Nakajima, Toru; Kagami, Saya; Ogata, Manabu; et al.
JAEA-Review 2023-017, 27 Pages, 2023/10
JAEA-Review-2023-017.pdf:0.94MB
This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), in fiscal year 2023. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2023 are described in detail based on the JAEA 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028). In addition, the background of this research is described from the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques.
Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Sueoka, Shigeru; Ishihara, Takanori; Ogawa, Hiroki; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki; Watanabe, Tsuyoshi; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Ogata, Manabu; et al.
JAEA-Research 2023-005, 78 Pages, 2023/10
JAEA-Research-2023-005.pdf:6.51MB
This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 1st fiscal year of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques. The current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.
Nakajima, Toru; Fukuda, Shoma; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Danhara, Toru*; Iwano, Hideki*; Sueoka, Shigeru
Fuisshon, Torakku Nyusureta, (35), p.34 - 36, 2022/12
In this presentation, we report the results of fission-track etching experiments for the practical use of baddeleyite fission-track dating and a brief discussion of the results.
