Lack of the Governance on the Planning Process of Nuclear Safety Regulation in Japan

Weak Nature on the Nuclear Safety Regulation Caused by Lack of the Technical Knowledge

Abstract

　 The aim of this study is to examine the structure and characteristics of the nuclear development in Japan, focusing on the lack of the governance in the nuclear safety regulation. New two models are proposed to explain an actual nuclear safety regulation process in Japan. One is "the pyramid model" with top-down method mainly conducted by Nuclear Safety Commission in conformity with the national policy. The other is "the reverse pyramid model" with top-down method promoted by electric power companies and nuclear reactor makers.
　 It is shown that "the reverse pyramid model" is much better model for explaining the real regulation process with lack of governance for each other in Japan, furthermore, the one-sided safety evaluation by electric power companies and reactor makers is inadequate condition for safety regulation under Nuclear Safety Commission which does not have the ability for the judgement with the original advanced knowledge, even if the process and transparency are properly maintained.