Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response Division

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The Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response Division as an expert group for nuclear emergency preparedness supports the National Government and local governments in the nuclear emergency exercises. The Division also maintains and manages emergency preparedness equipment in Offsite Centers. The Division supports emergency response of the National Government by operating the emergency response support system in the case of an emergency.

Implementation of Various Activities Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness

The nuclear emergency exercise in the offsite centerIn promoting nuclear emergency preparedness, the Division leads such activities as the planning of emergency exercises or coordination with related administrative agencies in cooperation with the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA). Moreover, the Division maintains the facilities installed in the nuclear emergency response operation facility (Offsite Center) provided in the region of nuclear installations sites, and maintains and manages the Offsite Centers and the emergency response support system (ERSS*) to be available appropriately during an emergency. Furthermore, investigations and research for nuclear emergency preparedness and training of personnel concerned are conducted.

* ERSS: Emergency Response Support System
(Computer-aided facility to grasp the status and predict the propagation of an accident)

Promotion of Nuclear Emergency Preparedness in an Emergency

1.Support Activities for Nuclear Emergency Exercises

The Division develops a detailed time schedule including an accident scenario of the comprehensive nuclear emergency exercise held in accordance with the Special Law on Emergency Preparedness for Nuclear Disaster and takes part in the exercise. For the improvement of future exercises, the records of each exercise are compiled in documents. In addition, when local governments organize emergency exercises, the Division gives various types of support such as instructions on equipment operation, which contributes to the realization of an effective exercise, assistance in the development of exercise planning with the focus on the objectives of the exercise and then during the exercise gives predictions on the future evolution of the accident assumed for the exercise.

2.Maintenance of the Emergency Operations Center (Offsite Center) Facilities

There are 20 Offsite Centers nationwide where the local nuclear emergency response headquarters are to be established in a nuclear emergency. Another important facility, the Emergency Response Center, is located at NISA in the same building as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Tokyo. The special equipment installed in all the Offsite Centers and the Center at METI are maintained and kept in good condition by the Division to prepare for nuclear emergency. The Division also continuously improves the equipment at centers, reflecting the experiences gained through their operation during an emergency exercise.

Locations of Offsite Centers (There are 20 Offisite Centers throughout Japan)

3. Management and Operation Activities of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)

The ERSS will be started up promptly in an emergency to transmit accurate information to the emergency preparedness center at the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency and Offsite Centers and to support the emergency response by the National Government. The software and hardware of the ERSS are also improved incorporating experiences obtained at the nuclear emergency preparedness exercises and according to the equipment improvement of the nuclear power plant. In addition, operation tests and operator training sessions are regularly held to improve the operation and maintenance of the ERSS system and the technical abilities of the operators. Staff mobilization drills are also held in preparation for an emergency.

4.Study of Advancement of Nuclear Emergency Preparedness

The Division conducts research and studies to increase effectiveness of the implementation of disaster-prevention measures in an emergency situation of nuclear disasters. To prepare for such an emergency situation, the Division is moving forward to developing protective measures in the planning stage. The major research and studies are as follows:

- Management of databases for the released amount, release starting time, and dose during severe accidents

- Preparation and verification of the estimate simulation method for evacuation time

- Analysis and verification for specifying the basic model for evacuation areas

Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)

5.Nuclear Emergency Response Training Program

It is important for the personnel concerned to take proper action according to their roles in an emergency. For this purpose, the nuclear emergency response program was implemented in order to improve the response capability of the personnel concerned with the emergency response at the National Government, local governments, and related administrative agencies. The target personnel are mainly as follows:

- The staff of Office for Inspectors of Nuclear Safety Management located in the host prefectures of nuclear installations

- The local government personnel of the host prefectures of nuclear installations (Nuclear emergency responders)

- The related staff of police departments, fire fighting departments, the Self-Defense Forces, and the Japan Coast Guard