Advanced Research and Education Initiative for the Conversion of Nuclear Fuel Materials into Medical Radioisotope Resources

Abstract

The creation of sustainable nuclear and radiation technologies is expected to play an important role for the realization of GX (Green Transformation). Despite the expectation, many nuclear and radiation-related facilities in Japan are rapidly losing not only research and human resource development functions but also safety management systems due to the deterioration of facilities and instruments and the retirement of staffs. In order to solve the existing issues associated to safety management and to strengthen the research and education infrastructure, the conversion of nuclear fuel materials with no actual use into medical radioisotope resources should be one of the most effective strategies. Therefore, we are promoting an advanced project to construct a research and education platform enabling the centralized storage and management of nuclear materials, the securing of radium resources, and the actinium production.