Category Archives: Topics

Ex-post Evaluation on the Nuclear Security Project at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Republic of Kazakhstan

April 22, 2016

Ex-post project evaluation was implemented from November 2015 to March 2016 to assess the results of the Nuclear Security Project at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Republic of Kazakhstan (*completed in February 2013 with 89 million JPY spent).

In December last year, the Nuclear Material Control Center of Japan, entrusted with conducting the evaluation, dispatched two experts to Kazakhstan for on-site observation of the facility and for consultations with the representatives of the Institute and the regulatory authorities.

The mission assessed the results of the project in a comprehensive manner; the evaluation criteria include, among others, improvement of the security hardware, development of the staff’s competence through the training course, and other sustainable efforts being made by the Institute for further strengthening nuclear security. The findings of the mission were presented to the Japan-Kazakhstan Committee with relevant recommendations and lessons learnt for the future joint activities.

postevaluation_inp

(FYI) “The Completion Ceremony for Nuclear Security Project at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Republic of Kazakhstan” (June 19, 2013)

Completion Ceremony of the Japan-Ukraine Joint Project for Strengthening Nuclear Security of the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technologies

June 9, 2015

The completion ceremony of the Japan-Ukraine joint project for strengthening nuclear security of the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technologies (total amount of the project – 173 million JPY) was held on 28 May, 2015 in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with the attendance of government officials of the both States.

During the ceremony Mr. SUMI, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine and Academician NEKLYUDOV, Director-General of the Kharkiv Institute unveiled a plaque commemorating the successful completion of the bilateral project, and Ambassador Sumi commended the KIPT project management team for their dedication and commitment to the important work for nuclear security.

As the first undertaking between Japan and Ukraine within the “Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction”, this cooperation established the state-of-the-art mass-spectrometry system for analysis of the Soviet-origin nuclear materials in bulk form, and upgraded the perimeter protection system against growing threats of terrorism.

The Ukrainian side expressed their appreciation for the Japanese assistance in strengthening nuclear material accounting capabilities as well as enhancing reliability of security system of the leading nuclear-radiation research institution in Ukraine.

DSC_0066 DSC_0165 2___DSC_0196

Go to the similar topic on the website of the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine.

Completion Ceremony of the Japan-Kazakhstan Joint Project for Strengthening Nuclear Security

May 7, 2015

The completion ceremony of the Japan-Kazakhstan joint project for strengthening nuclear security (worth 432 million Japanese yen) was held on April 30, 2015 in the Ministry of Energy of the Repuplic of Kazakhstan, Astana city, with the attendance of government officials of the both countries.

Kazakhstani First Vice-Minister for Energy U. KARABALIN expressed appreciation for the assistance extended by Japan in times of growing global terrorism, and added that assurance of nuclear security would help Kazakhstan to improve the credibility of its nuclear industry. Then, Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs K. SONOURA pointed out the importance of continued concerted efforts between Japan and Kazakhstan in the sphere of nuclear security, noting that the both states co-chair the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT as the countries suffering either nuclear tests or atomic bombings.

The joint project was implemented based on the Implementing Arrangement signed in November 2011 between the Japan-Kazakhstan Committee on Cooperation for the Destruction of Nuclear Weapons Reduced in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies (later reorganized into the Ministry of Energy). The whole range of works done under this project has allowed the Ulba Metallurgical Plant and the Institute of Nuclear Physics to maintain the robust physical barriers as well as effectively detect potential intruder threats; concrete fences, alarm sensors, video surveillance and communication systems have been upgraded. In addition to that, training was provided for the facility staff in collaboration with the IAEA.

IMG_1609

Dissolution of the Technical Secretariat of Japan-Belarus Committee on Cooperation for the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

March 3, 2015

Due to the termination of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Belarus concerning Cooperation in the field of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Establishment of a Committee on this Cooperation done on 5 November 1993, the Technical Secretariat of Japan-Belarus Committee on Cooperation for the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has winded up its activities and dissolved.

Taking this opportunity, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our partners for their continued cooperation and support during the mandate of the Japan-Belarus Committee.

At the same time, please be advised that the Technical Secretariats of other Committees (Japan-Russia, Japan-Ukraine and Japan-Kazakhstan) will continue its work based on the bilateral agreement with each country.

Inauguration of the Blast and Paint Facility for Reactor Compartment Units of the Dismantled Nuclear Submarines in the Russian Far East

July 8, 2014

  1. The opening ceremony of the Blast and Paint Facility was held at the Long-Term Storage Complex for reactor compartment units, located in Razboynik Bay, Primorsky Territory in the Russian Far East on 24 June, 2014. The Government of Japan provided financial assistance amounting to 726 million Japanese yen (approx 8.4 million USD) for the construction of this Facility.
  2. In Razboynik Bay, over 50 reactor units are still under the waterborne storage. The State Corporation Rosatom plans to place all the units onshore by 2020 with their hull surface blasted and painted against corrosion. The commissioned Facility is necessary to complete a technological cycle of safe onshore storage of reactor compartments, and is expected to ensure the full operation of the Long-Term Storage Complex together with the equipment the Japanese Government already provided to Russia in 2012.

(For Background) “Signing Ceremony of the Project to Construct of the Blast and Paint Facility for Reactor Compartment Units in the Russian Far East” (March 13, 2013)

(Ceremony)

140708ru_j-1_1 140708ru_j-1_2 140708ru_j-1_3
Remarks of delegations Ribbon-cutting Unveiling the plaque
140708ru_j-2_1 140708ru_j-2_2 140708ru_j-2_3
Blast and paint facility 1st reactor unit to be shot-blasted Reactor units on the storage pad

The Completion Ceremony for Nuclear Security Project at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Republic of Kazakhstan

June 19, 2013

  1. The Completion Ceremony of the Japan-Kazakhstan Joint Project for Nuclear Security at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held at the Institute in Almaty on 28 May, 2013 with the attendance of the representatives of the Japan-Kazakhstan Committee on Cooperation for the Destruction of Nuclear Weapons Reduced in the Republic of Kazakhstan : Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E. Mr. Yuzo Harada and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Committee of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan Dr. Timur Zhantikin and other distinguished guests from both Japan and Kazakhstan.

  2. The Project worth 89 million JPY (approx. 1.1 million USD) was implemented for strengthening of nuclear security of the Institute, based on the Implementing Arrangement agreed between the Japan-Kazakhstan Committee and the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan in November 2011.

  3. The Project was also referred to in the National Progress Reports of both countries at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit held in March, 2012, and it is expected to contribute toward further strengthening of nuclear security in Kazakhstan, together with the similar project for the Ulba Metallurgical Plant.

  4. At the Ceremony, the Japanese assistance was repeatedly appreciated by the representatives of Kazakhstan. The Japanese representatives also expressed their strong expectation that this Project will make a great contribution not only to enhance nuclear security in Kazakhstan, but also to strengthen closer bilateral relationship between Japan and Kazakhstan.
CIMG1729
Completion Ceremony

Signing Ceremony of the Project to Construct the Blast and Paint Facility for Reactor Compartment Units in the Russian Far East

March 13, 2013

  1. The signing ceremony of the Japan-funded Project “Construction of the Blast and Paint Facility for Reactor Compartment Units of the Dismantled Nuclear Submarines at the Long-term Storage Facility in the Far East of the Russian Federation” was held on 22 February, 2013 in Moscow with the attendance of the government officials.
  2. During the ceremony, Secretary-General of the Technical Secretariat of the Committee on Cooperation to Assist the Destruction of Nuclear Weapons Reduced in the Russian Federation, Hajime Sasaki and the Acting Director General of the FSUE “RosRAO”, Timur Koptev signed the Financing Contract for the implementation of the Project, worth 734 million JPY (approx. 8.5 million USD).
  3. The Blast and Paint Facility, an integral part of the Long-term Storage Facility for Reactor Compartments Units (RCUs) of the dismantled nuclear submarines at Razboynik Bay, will be utilized for final preparation of the RCUs for long-term onshore storage, including shot blasting and anticorrosion coating of hull surface of the RCUs.
  4. The Project is expected to strengthen the safety of reactor compartments as well as ensure the full operation of the Long-term Storage Facility in combination with the floating dock, jib cranes and tug boat provided by the Government of Japan last year.

[Related]
For the provision of the equipment – see here.

(Ceremony)
id1682a1 id1682a2 id1682a3

 

(Facility image) *The similar facility in the North West of Russia
id1682b1 id1682b2 id1682b3

The Completion and Handover Ceremony of the Floating Dock, Jib Cranes and the Tug Boat to the Long-Term Storage Facility for the Reactor Compartment Units

May 30, 2012

  1. The Completion and Handover Ceremony of a Floating Dock, two Jib Cranes and a Tug Boat which were provided to the Long-Term Storage Facility for the Reactor Compartment Units by the Committee on Cooperation to Assist the Destruction of Nuclear Weapons Reduced in the Russian Federation was held at Razboynik Bay in the Primorsky Region of the Russian Federation on May 18, 2012. The total cost of the Project was approximately 4.5 billion yen (about 56 million US Dollars). Representative of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Atomic Energy Corporation “Rosatom”, the Primorsky Region Administration and other dignitaries attended the Ceremony.

  2. In the Russian Far East, 73 Reactor Compartments (RCs) of Dismantled Nuclear Submarines are currently at the waterborne storage at Razboynik Bay and Kamchatka Peninsula, and these RCs are planned to be transferred onto land for their safe and stable storage. The Long-Term Storage Facility for the RCs is currently under construction by the Russian Government, and the above Floating Dock, Jib Cranes and the Tug Boat will be utilized for the operation of the Facility.

  3. At the Ceremony, the Russian representatives highly appreciated the Japanese continuous assistance providing essential equipment to the Facility despite of the difficult situations after the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Japanese representative expressed his strong expectation that this Project will make a great contribution to the strengthening of nuclear security in the Russian Far East and the protection of environment in the Sea of Japan. At the same time, the hope for its eventual contribution to building a constructive relationship between Japan and Russia as an important partner in the Asian Pacific Region was also emphasized.
sakura_doc Jib Cranes sumire_tagboat
Floating Dock “SAKURA” 32t and 10t Jib Cranes Tug Boat “SUMIRE”