Japan and France discuss nuclear's future role
Japan and France share the same vision of nuclear energy's "paramount role for prosperity and sustainable development in the 21st century," according to a joint statement made by their respective prime ministers.
Japan and France share the same vision of nuclear energy's "paramount role for prosperity and sustainable development in the 21st century," according to a joint statement made by their respective prime ministers.
Prime ministers Francois Fillon of France and Yasuo Fukuda of Japan met in Tokyo, where they also discussed issues including climate change and development in Africa to be raised at the next meeting of the Group of Eight industrialized nations (the G8), scheduled for Japan in July.
Fukuda said that Japan and France would be strengthening their cooperation on nuclear energy. The joint statement said that nuclear energy was becoming increasingly important for strengthening international energy security and as means of tackling global warming. The leaders also stressed the importance of nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security.
Fillon said the upcoming G8 summit will give an opportunity to show that industrialized countries can continue to grow while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
As part of his visit, Fillon will visit the Rokkasho nuclear fuel cycle site in northern Japan, where Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd is nearing completion of a used nuclear fuel reprocessing plant based on Areva's UP3 technology also employed at La Hague. The facility should be complete in May this year.
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