The Atomic Energy Commission expressed concern Tuesday that further delay in the use of uranium-plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) fuel at Japanese nuclear power reactors could create large stockpiles of surplus plutonium.
The government body made the remarks one day after Fukushima Gov. Eisaku Sato refused to sanction the use of MOX fuel at a reactor run by Tokyo Electric Power Co.
Tetsuya Endo, a member of the commission, said MOX is important because the key issue in preventing nuclear proliferation is how to deal with plutonium.