Nuclear safety tests in Japan appropriate: IAEA
Published On: Wed, Feb 1st, 2012 | Environment | By BioNewsAn International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) group has found the safety tests it had overseen at Japan’s idled nuclear reactors to be in line with international standards.
The head of a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) submitted a report to Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) Tuesday in this regard, Xinhua reported.
The preliminary report by James Lyons, head of the IAEA’s fact-finding team, was submitted to the Director General of NISA, Hiroyuki Fukano. It judged that NISA’s overseeing of power companies’ stress tests was appropriate.
“The conclusion of the team is that NISA’s instructions and review process for the Comprehensive Safety Assessments are generally consistent with IAEA Safety Standards,” the IAEA said in a written statement.
Lyons, director of nuclear installations safety at the IAEA, told reporters he was impressed by Japan’s emergency safety measures following last March’s tsunami-triggered nuclear crisis, although he noted there was room for improvement.
“We were very impressed with the way Japan quickly implemented the emergency safety measures after the accident in March. They have also been very active in participating in the international community to determine the steps forward,” Lyons told reporters. (IANS)
