KYOTO -- Japanese and international antinuclear groups plan to use an upcoming United Nations conference on nuclear nonproliferation to push for a moratorium on the Rokkasho atomic fuel reprocessing plant and the Monju prototype fast-breeder reactor.
"Given the growing stockpiles of plutonium and weapons-usable nuclear fuel around the world, it makes no sense whatsoever for Japan to advocate reprocessing at Rokkasho, which enriches uranium fuel, or the restart of the Monju fast-breeder reactor. These two plants will add to the danger of nuclear proliferation," said Tom Clements of Greenpeace International in Washington at a recent gathering of antinuclear activists in Kyoto.
As of March 2004, Japan had around 45 tons of plutonium in storage, including nearly 5.5 tons at nuclear plants and related facilities, and another 39 tons at overseas reprocessing plants -- mainly in England and France.