A senior official of the British Department of Trade and Industry met with Japanese counterparts Monday in an effort to restore confidence in British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. after revelations that the firm falsified data on mixed-oxide fuel for Japanese reactors. Anna Walker, head of the department's energy bureau, met with Hirobumi Kawano, head of the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy, to explain what inspections on the British side had revealed. The meeting, which began in the morning, was expected to go into the late afternoon. At the start of the meeting, Kawano said, "The issue that lies before us is how to restore cooperative ties in the area of nuclear energy between our two nations." The MOX fuel in question was shipped to Takahama, Fukui Prefecture, in October for use at the Takahama No. 4 reactor. Prior to the arrival of the shipment, it was discovered that data for a future batch for the No. 3 reactor had been tampered with. After data falsification for the No. 4 reactor fuel was discovered in December, Kansai Electric Power Co., which operates the plant, decided not to use it. Since then, the fuel has been stored at the reactor, with Kepco demanding that BNFL take the batch back to Britain and make it over again. However, British authorities are believed to be unhappy about this demand due to the cost involved, sources close to the case said. It is believed Walker will discuss the matter of reshipping the MOX fuel with Japanese officials.
