On April 12, 2018, the Japan-Finland Joint Seminar on Energy Policy and Challenges of Nuclear Energy (especially geological disposal of high level radioactive waste) was held in Tokyo with about 130 participants. This seminar was co-hosted by ANRE* and NUMO, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland and Finnish companies, Posiva and Fortum. The overview of the seminar is as follows.
(*ANRE: The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan)

The current energy policies, including climate change measures of Japan and Finland were introduced. The ratio of nuclear power to Japan's power supply declined from about 30 percent to 2 percent because of the Fukushima nuclear accident. Fossil fuels have accounted for a large percentage of the energy source since the accident. Japan has started discussion on moving toward the goal of the Paris Agreement. In Finland, on the other hand, a public survey shows that most people think they should start immediate action against climate change. Over 60 percent agree to nuclear energy and a majority disagrees on the usage of coal and oil. In the panel discussion, success factors for the final disposal strategy were shared through the lessons learned in Finland, such as “transparent and open discussion” and “involvement of the safety authority which has credibility and independence.”

Then, the Finnish government and nuclear relevant organizations delivered presentations about the current nuclear plant situation and the latest technology for safe nuclear waste management. The Finnish regulatory authority, STUK shared what is needed for success in disposal regulation. Please refer to the presentation materials for details.

At the end of the seminar, it was agreed upon that both countries maintain cooperative relationships to address the issue of geological disposal. NUMO steadily moves forward with geological disposal in Japan through open dialogue with the public while learning good practices from Finland and other countries.

The seminar program and the presentation materials are as follows:

Date:	April 12, Thursday, 2018
Time:	1:00 p.m. through 5:30 p.m.
Venue:	The AIJ (Architectural Institute of Japan) Building, Tokyo, Japan

Program:

13:00-13:10   Opening remarks
Japan:	Mr. Taketani Atsushi, Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs, ANRE, METI (on behalf of Mr. Masaki Ogushi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister, METI)
Finland:	Mr. Jari Gustafsson, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

Part 1.

Policies in nuclear energy and nuclear waste management: sharing experiences between Japan and Finland

13:10-13:40   Outline of energy policy under climate change
Japan:	“Japan’s Strategic Energy Plan” by Mr. Nakanishi Tomoaki, Director, Energy Supply and Demand Policy Office, ANRE, METI
Finland:	“Business Finland: The Role of Nuclear Energy and Climate Change” by Mr. Teppo Turkki, Counsellor for Science, Technology and Innovation, Embassy of Finland

13:40-13:55   Nuclear energy policy and public understanding
Japan:	“Japan’s Plant Restart and Public Communication” by Mr. Wakatsuki Kazuhiro, Director, Office for Regional Relations for Nuclear Facilities, ANRE, METI

13:55-15:30   Panel discussion: Development of the final disposal policy
Moderator:	Ms. Takeuchi Sumiko, Senior Fellow, Member, Board of Directors, International Environment and Economy Institute
Panelists:
Japan:	Ms. Tatsumi Kikuko, Advisor, Nippon Association of Consumer Specialists Mr. Ban Hideyuki, Co-representative, Citizen’s Nuclear Information Center Mr. Nasu Ryo, Director, Radioactive Waste Management Policy Division, ANRE, METI Dr. Kondo Shunsuke, President, NUMO (Presentation: “Actions NUMO is Taking to Promote Deep Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste”)
Finland:	Mr. Mika Pohjonen, Managing Director, Posiva Solutions (Presentation: “Posiva Oy, Finland: Constructing the world’s first Deep Geological Repository for spent fuel”) Mr. Jussi Heinonen, Director, Nuclear Waste and Material Safeguards Regulation, STUK Dr. Liisa Heikinheimo, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

Part 2.

Developing nuclear energy responsibility over the entire life cycle: Case Finland

15:40-16:00

“Nuclear Energy in Finland: Operation, projects and licensing” by Dr. Liisa Heikinheimo, Deputy Director-General, Energy Department, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

16:00-17:15   Cases from Finland

Fortum

“Nuclear power company case on nuclear waste management, developing methods tools and skills”
by Dr. Sami Hautakangas, Head of Spent Fuel and Disposal Services, Fortum Generation, Nuclear Services

Posiva and Posiva Solutions

“Posiva Oy, Finland: World leader in final disposal of spent nuclear fuel
- sharing the experience benefits the whole sector”
by Mr. Mika Pohjonen, Managing Director

STUK and STUK International

“What is needed for success in disposal regulation - Finnish regulatory expertise at your service”
by Mr. Jussi Heinonen, Director, Nuclear Waste and Material Safeguards Regulation

VTT

“VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd: Research and development as a success factor of the nuclear industry, radwaste management, and the entire energy system”
by Mr. Matti Paljakka, Solution Sales Lead

FinNuclear Association

“Nuclear Energy in Finland - the complete lifecycle”
by Mr. Lauri Muranen, Executive Director

17:15-17:30   Final discussion and Wrap-up
Japan:	Dr. Kondo Shunsuke, President, NUMO
Finland:	Mr. Jukka Siukosaari, Ambassador

17:30   Closing of the seminar

The details of the seminar including videos are posted on Japanese pages (only in Japanese).