Third international challenge to model the medium- to long-range transport of radioxenon to four Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty monitoring stations

Maurer, C.*; Galmarini, S.*; Solazzo, E.*; Kumierczyk-Michulec, J.*; Bar, J.*; Kalinowski, M.*; Schoeppner, M.*; Bourgouin, P.*; Crawford, A.*; Stein, A.*; et al.

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 255, p.106968_1 - 106968_27, 2022/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106968

After performing multi-model exercises in 2015 and 2016, a comprehensive Xe-133 atmospheric transport modeling challenge was organized in 2019. For evaluation measured samples for the same time frame were gathered from four International Monitoring System stations located in Europe and North America with overall considerable influence of IRE and/or CNL emissions. As a lesion learnt from the 2nd ATM-Challenge participants were prompted to work with controlled and harmonized model set ups to make runs more comparable, but also to increase diversity. Effects of transport errors, not properly characterized remaining emitters and long IMS sampling times (12 to 24 hours) undoubtedly interfere with the effect of high-quality IRE and CNL stack data. An ensemble based on a few arbitrary submissions is good enough to forecast the Xe-133 background at the stations investigated. The effective ensemble size is below five.

Research on factor analysis and technical process for achieving denuclearization; Denuclearization of Iraq

Tazaki, Makiko; Kimura, Takashi; Shimizu, Ryo; Tamai, Hiroshi; Nakatani, Takayoshi; Suda, Kazunori

JAEA-Review 2022-020, 82 Pages, 2022/09

JAEA-Review-2022-020.pdf:2.14MB

As part of the "Research on Factor Analysis and Technical Processes for Achieving Denuclearization" started in 2018, comprehensive survey of nuclear development and denuclearization of Iraq was conducted, together with analysis of the characteristics and lessons learned from the denuclearization. Iraq's clandestine nuclear weapon related activities were initially focused on plutonium production, but it then switched its focus on producing highly enriched uranium, and built various facilities, including electromagnetic isotope separation (EMIS) and centrifuge uranium enrichment facilities. Denuclearization of Iraq began with the defeat in the 1991 Gulf War, which forced Iraq to accept United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 (1991) that year. The Resolution set out a framework for destruction, removal, or rendering harmless of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. Within the framework, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with the support and cooperation of the newly established United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM), had verified Iraq's past nuclear activities and denuclearization. Characteristics of Iraq's denuclearization include that 1) Iraq had no choice but to accept denuclearization, 2) IAEA was empowered to implement detectable inspection measures and methods, which later came to fruition as the IAEA Safeguards Agreement Additional Protocol (AP), 3) economic sanctions for the purpose of promoting denuclearization of Iraq were not very successful, and 4) denuclearization of Iraq and subsequent Iraq war, together with collapse of the Hussein regime, has affected the denuclearization of Libya, North Korea and Iraq. Furthermore, the lessons learned from the denuclearization are 1) the need for universalization of AP, and necessities for 2) economic sanctions that are suitable for the original purposes without being abused, 3) the need for diplomatic efforts including denuclearization frameworks and measures with a clear roadmap

IAEA's recent activities on nuclear safety and nuclear security in transport of radioactive and nuclear materials

Tamai, Hiroshi

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi ATOMO, 64(8), p.465 - 467, 2022/08

https://doi.org/10.3327/jaesjb.64.8_465

Though nuclear safety and nuclear security share the same goal of protecting the public and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation, their response actions may have differences, especially during transport, where protection could be vulnerable. The interface between them is a major issue. In December 2021, with the aim of complementarily strengthening nuclear safety and nuclear security in the transportation of radioactive materials IAEA published a related technical report and held an international conference. The outline of the technical report and the international conference is introduced.

Research on factor analysis and technical process for achieving denuclearization; Case study and factor analysis of denuclearization

Tazaki, Makiko; Shimizu, Ryo; Kimura, Takashi; Tamai, Hiroshi; Nakatani, Takayoshi; Suda, Kazunori

JAEA-Review 2021-076, 108 Pages, 2022/03

JAEA-Review-2021-076.pdf:3.89MB

In order to find ways to lead the denuclearization successfully, effectively, and efficiently in the future, "Research on factor analysis and technical process for achieving denuclearization" has been conducted since 2018. This report covers the first half of the research, namely "Factor analysis for denuclearization", summarizing the results of the case study and factor analysis of denuclearization. First, South Africa, Iraq, Libya, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, North Korea, Iran and Syria were selected as the initial research target countries, and the history of nuclear development as well as characteristics of denuclearization in each country were investigated and analyzed. Next, in order to consider the measures for the international community to lead the denuclearization of the target countries, eight main denuclearization factors ((1) Motivation for nuclear development, (2) Internal and external situation at the time of the denuclearization, (3) Progress of nuclear development, (4) Effects of sanctions, (5) International framework for denuclearization, (6) Incentives for denuclearization, (7) Denuclearization method, (8) Verification method/verifier) were found out. Finally, the contents of each denuclearization factor from (1) to (8)) in above target countries except Syria were analyzed, together with whether each factor was effective for denuclearization or not. In addition, in order to lead denuclearization effectively and efficiently, what should be done in relation to the eight factors were considered. These results are expected to serve as a basis for research on the technological process of denuclearization, and to help considering the way to accomplish denuclearization.

Trend of nuclear security; Toward the conference of the parties to the amendment to the convention on the physical protection of nuclear material 2022

Fukui, Yasuhito

CISTEC Janaru, (197), p.320 - 330, 2022/01

AA2021-0599.pdf:0.52MB

This article explains briefly the history of amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. Further this article examines the Nuclear Security resolution adopted in the IAEA General Conference held in 2021 in order to overview the current situation in the field of Nuclear Security. Then this article examines the Nuclear Security plan 2022-2025 so as to grasp what the IAEA would like to realize in the mid-term in this field. As the cyber-attack happens these days so often and the IAEA recently published the revised version of Technical Guidance on Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 17-T) etc., this article also explains briefly what is written. Based on these analyses, the author proposes the three important issues to tackle in the field of nuclear security.

Study of rational safeguards for the treatment of radioactive waste containing nuclear materials

Nakatani, Takayoshi; Shimizu, Ryo; Tazaki, Makiko; Kimura, Takashi; Tamai, Hiroshi; Suda, Kazunori

Dai-42-Kai Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nenji Taikai Kaigi Rombunshu (Internet), 4 Pages, 2021/11

Currently, JAEA is in the advancing of decommissioning own nuclear facilities, and some facilities have been handling nuclear materials. In decommissioning, it is necessary to consider rational methods while keeping nuclear non-proliferation and transparency, including treatment of radioactive waste generated from these facilities and methods for terminating safeguards. In this study, we considered the above issues regarding waste treatment with reference to the guidance of Safeguards by Design (SBD) published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Research on factor analysis for achieving denuclearization, 10; Summary of research; Analysis of denuclearization factors of target countries and lessons learned from the analysis

Tazaki, Makiko; Shimizu, Ryo; Kimura, Takashi; Nakatani, Takayoshi; Tamai, Hiroshi; Suda, Kazunori

Dai-42-Kai Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nenji Taikai Kaigi Rombunshu (Internet), 4 Pages, 2021/11

no abstracts in English

Monitoring technique for detection of nuclear and radioactive materials on major public events

Mochimaru, Takanori*; Koizumi, Mitsuo; Takahashi, Tone; Hironaka, Kota; Kimura, Yoshiki; Sato, Yuki; Terasaka, Yuta; Yamanishi, Hirokuni*; Wakabayashi, Genichiro*

Dai-42-Kai Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nenji Taikai Kaigi Rombunshu (Internet), 4 Pages, 2021/11

no abstracts in English

Nuclear safety and nuclear security interface

Tamai, Hiroshi

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi ATOMO, 63(9), p.677 - 678, 2021/09

https://doi.org/10.3327/jaesjb.63.9_677

The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, has issued a technical report on national approaches to the interface between nuclear safety and nuclear security, which is essential for strengthening through mutual complementation. The report aims to provide Member States with insights on good practices, each of which is important in coordinating the interface. Those are states' experiences in (i) legal and regulatory framework, (ii) nuclear installations, (iii) radioactive sources and associated facilities and activities, (iv) management systems and nuclear safety and nuclear security culture, (v) emergency preparedness and response, and common issues in cross-cutting field.

Current activities and future challenges of Nuclear Security and Safeguards Project in Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA) and ISCN engagement

Naoi, Yosuke

Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Virtual Annual Meeting (Internet), 8 Pages, 2021/08

The author will report on the action plan starting in 2020 of FNCA Nuclear Security and Safeguards Project as well as the past achievements. He also illustrates how ISCN has been involved in supporting this project.