Against the backdrop of growing momentum for cooperation between Japan and Republic of Kazakhstan for the peaceful use of atomic energy, triggered by Prime Minister Koizumi’s visit to Kazakhstan in August 2006, Japan has cooperated for strengthening nuclear security in Kazakhstan.

In November 2011, the Japan-Kazakhstan Committee and the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed the Implementing Arrangement on this cooperation.

Under this program, the Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP) and the Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) have been provided with materials and equipment to enhance protective measures of the both facilities based on threat assessments (UMP : 337 million JPY, INP : 89 million JPY).

Ulba Metallurgical Plant (Ust-Kamenogorsk)	Site visit

Institute of Nuclear Physics (Almaty)	Technical consultations

In addition, a nuclear security training course was organized in Almaty in collaboration with the IAEA to enhance the security expertise of nuclear facility staff in Kazakhstan (total cost : approx. 6.3 million JPY). Through the five days of lectures and practical exercises, participants could deepen their understanding of modern methodology and international experience of nuclear security.

The joint projects are expected to contribute to global efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism. The importance of the bilateral program is emphasized in the national progress reports of Japan and Kazakhstan at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.

Related: “What is Nuclear Security?”

Completion ceremony at the INP (May 2013)	IAEA nuclear security training course

Plaque commemorating the successful completion of the project (at the UMP)