Is it possible to deter armed attack against nuclear power plants by International law; Its limit and future perspective

Fukui, Yasuhito

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi ATOMO, 65(9), p.564 - 567, 2023/09

https://doi.org/10.3327/jaesjb.65.9_564

This article explains that how the international law prevents armed attacks to nuclear power plant based on the lex lata basis. Four points are raised, in other words, first, how the current international law prohibit armed attacks to the nuclear power plant. Second, the current international law can prevent the armed attacks effectively. Third, if the law lacks the effectiveness, what kind of framework or response are necessary. Fourth, if these legal frameworks are applied to the nuclear power plants in Japan, how these will be accommodated are explained.

Radioisotope identification algorithm using deep artificial neural network for supporting nuclear detection and first response on nuclear security incidents

Kimura, Yoshiki; Tsuchiya, Kenichi*

Radioisotopes, 72(2), p.121 - 139, 2023/07

https://doi.org/10.3769/radioisotopes.72.121

Rapid and precise radioisotope identification in the scene of nuclear detection and nuclear security incidents is one of the challenging issues for the prompt response on the detection alarm or the incidents. A radioisotope identification algorithm using a deep artificial neural network model applicable to handheld gamma-ray detectors has been proposed in the present paper. The proposed algorithm automatically identifies gamma-emitting radioisotopes based on the count contribution ratio (CCR) from each of them estimated by the deep artificial neural network model trained by simulated gamma-ray spectra. The automated radioisotope identification algorithm can support first responders of nuclear detection and nuclear security incidents without sufficient experience and knowledge in radiation measurement. The authors tested the performance of the proposed algorithm using two different types of deep artificial neural network models in application to handheld detectors having high or low energy resolution. The proposed algorithm showed high performance in identifying artificial radioisotopes for actually measured gamma-ray spectra. It was also confirmed that the algorithm is applicable to identifying U and automated uranium categorization by analyzing estimated CCRs by the deep artificial neural network models. The authors also com-pared the performance of the proposed algorithm with a conventional radioisotope identification method and discussed promising ways to improve the performance of the algorithm using the deep artificial neural network.

Optimization of training effectiveness of physical protection course for Asian region; Best mix of in-person and virtual methodologies

Noro, Naoko; Sekine, Megumi; Inoue, Naoko; Scharmer, C.*; Orr, A.*

Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Annual Meeting 2023 (Internet), 9 Pages, 2023/05

During the COVID-19 pandemics, ISCN has developed several online training courses on nuclear security for the regional participants to minimize the impact of global travel restriction. ISCN resumed its regional training as in-person in summer 2022. By combining in-person and virtual methodologies, ISCN and successfully designed the regional training to optimize its curriculum to optimize the effectiveness of the course. This paper reports on the development, implementation of the course to share ISCN's experience, and contribute to further enhancing effectiveness of capacity building in nuclear security.

Case study activities for nuclear security culture development in JAEA

Amano, Tsukasa; Shibata, Ryodai; Sato, Yoshiharu; Yamazaki, Katsuyuki; Shiromo, Hideo; Nakamura, Hironobu

Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Annual Meeting 2023 (Internet), 6 Pages, 2023/05

In Japan, about 10 years have passed since the law obligated nuclear operators to develop and maintain a nuclear security culture. During this period, the global nuclear situation has changed significantly, and it is becoming important to maintain a stance that emphasizes compliance with regulations and nuclear security culture. In JAEA, the policy of legal compliance and developing nuclear security culture is determined by the president of JAEA. For legal compliance and developing nuclear security culture, many activities are carried out based on that policy. Finally, these activities are evaluated and improved it every year. Case study is the one of activities that can obtain skills for legal compliance and developing nuclear security culture, such as sensitivity of nuclear security risks, correct understanding of the laws. The procedure for the case study was created with reference to a method called KY-Training which is often applied to safety training program in Japan. KY-Training is a training that participants (groups) can reach the conclusion how to respond to cases through four questions. Firstly, participants are given illustrations and descriptions which has potential of nuclear security risks. Then, participants make discussion according to four questions. Consequently, participants can effectively become aware of nuclear security risks. In the 2022 case study, we prepared 23 cases so that they can select choose freely according to role of participants such as in charge of nuclear security, guards, general employees. Finally, participants are asked to fill a questionnaire to evaluate effectiveness of case study. The result of questionnaires indicated that the case study was able to lead to improvement sensitivity of nuclear security risks and correct understanding of the laws. Overall, case study results suggested that JAEA's efforts were implying sufficiently to develop and maintain a nuclear security culture.

The Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT); Key issues and why the final document could not be adopted

Tazaki, Makiko

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi ATOMO, 65(3), p.183 - 186, 2023/03

https://doi.org/10.3327/jaesjb.65.3_183

no abstracts in English

Legal implication of armed attack to nuclear facilities in Ukraine

Fukui, Yasuhito

CISTEC Janaru, (203), p.273 - 285, 2023/01

AA2022-0714.pdf:1.07MB

At the time of Russian invasion to Ukraine, attacks to nuclear facility were also happened. And the typical nuclear security event which are not deemed to be covered by A/CCPNM also happed. The affected facility varies widely from nuclear power plants to the research institute. This presentation tried to protect these facilities applying international law such as international humanitarian law etc. i.e. we would like to verify whether there is legal lacunae in these cases. Furthermore, if this kind of event happens in Japan, besides international law, Japanese municipal law system can resolve the kind of armed attacks to nuclear facilities.

Development of neutron resonance transmission analysis using a laser accelerator driven neutron source

Ito, Fumiaki*; Lee, J.; Hironaka, Kota; Koizumi, Mitsuo; Yogo, Akifumi*

Proceedings of 19th Annual Meeting of Particle Accelerator Society of Japan (Internet), p.137 - 140, 2023/01

https://www.pasj.jp/web_publish/pasj2022/proceedings/PDF/THOB/THOB02.pdf

no abstracts in English

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 technical process for achieving denuclearization, 1; Denuclearization processes and technical measures

Tazaki, Makiko; Nakatani, Takayoshi; Shimizu, Ryo; Kimura, Takashi; Hori, Masato

Dai-43-Kai Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nenji Taikai Kaigi Rombunshu (Internet), 4 Pages, 2022/11

Denuclearization consists of (1) verification of nuclear activities prior to denuclearization, (2) freeze, disablement and decommissioning of nuclear weapons, nuclear materials such as HEU and Pu, their production facilities, including facilities and equipment, and their verification. In this study, as a premise for the denuclearization of nuclear materials and nuclear facilities, and with reference to the results of previous denuclearization case surveys and related literature, the denuclearization process and its options for technical measures are discussed and considered.

Research on technical process for achieving denuclearization, 4; Dismantlement and verification of reprocessing facilities

Shimizu, Ryo; Nakatani, Takayoshi; Tazaki, Makiko; Kimura, Takashi; Hori, Masato

Dai-43-Kai Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nenji Taikai Kaigi Rombunshu (Internet), 3 Pages, 2022/11

no abstracts in English