Japan: Nuclear & Natural Disasters: Improving Nuclear Safety Standards: (+.5)
Postscript: .5
In the G8 2011 communiqué – “Renewed Commitment for Freedom and Democracy” under Section IV, Nuclear Safety, here we see an entire section dedicated to nuclear safety by the G8 group. The G8 recognizes the need to continuously evaluate the safety of nuclear plants and the grave importance of the Fukushima incident. There was a welcome by the group to carry out comprehensive risk assessments of their nuclear facilities and an urge to invite other countries to carry out periodic assessments. They also encouraged countries to make use of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to increase nuclear safety in their facilities.
The G8 has stated that there is already progress being made in the improvements in nuclear safety due to work by various safety authorities and operators such as the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) and the Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP). They are committed to the international ministerial conference by the IAEA on nuclear safety in Vienna on 20-24 June.
In conclusion there is a great deal of action and concern by the G8 on increasing nuclear safety standards, such as the work being done by various safety operators and there is the upcoming meeting on nuclear safety in Vienna. However no deadlines have been placed and a firm plan of action to improve global nuclear standards has not been agreed upon and thus Japan receives a score of .5.
