| Provided by Hyotan Group,Hitachi City | |
| Bus Tour to Nuclear Institutes in Tokai-Mura, Ibaraki, Japan December, 20019 |
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1. Dawn of Atoms for Peace in Japan Start-up of Tokai facilities of Japan Atomic Research Institute in 1957 marked the dawn of development of nuclear science and engineering in Japan. Next event in Tokai-Mura associated with nuclear engineering was the first commercial operation of Tokai No.1 Nuclear Power Station, Japan Atomic Power Company in 1978. Thus Tokai-Mura has been well known in the world as the birth place of atomic science and engineering of Japan. Ibaraki Nuclear Forum has a free bus guided tour to typical institutes for citizens to learn Atoms for Peace. We ourselves joined in the tour one morning and report what we saw and learned there. |
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 2. Ibaraki Science Museum of Atomic Energy (1) Main Hall Exhibit room in the first floor and special planning room in the second floor are open to public. Large visual displays in the first floor (Atom Floor) give us fine introduction from structure of atoms to Energy World, from micro to mega by fantastic media. At the square of ‘Hello! Einstein’, the father of nuclear energy, we can learn his contribution and basic knowledge in energy. Hands-on at Atom Lab show us the shielding experiments of radiations and give us real inspections of our bags and belongings by X-ray as same as airport luggage inspection systems. Many other set-ups are available for experiences. (2) Annex Hall They have the display system of environment radiation data of Ibaraki Prefecture and JCO Critical Accident Documents. October1,1999, the accident at Tokai shop of JCO caused death of two employees and developed to evacuation of citizens around the shop. It was caused by the human operation error of uranium solution and many measures by the governmental agencies, media information and rumors around the site gave lessons to lead for new safety measures of nuclear facilities. |
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3．Atom World of Japan Atomic Energy Agency Atom World is located next to the research facilities of the institute which is at the south of Muramatsu Kokuzoson Temple. Main themes are mining of fuel materials, reprocessing of spent fuels and processing of high radioactive materials. Full size fuel model assemblies of Monju and commercial power plants are also displayed there. We can also handle manipulators for hot cells. |
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4. Ibaraki Quantum Beam Research Center and Nuclear Science Laboratory of Japan Atomic Energy Agency Ibaraki Quantum Beam Research Center is the laboratory for consultation and research collaboration facilities within the Ibaraki Prefecture associated with Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). in 1956 Japan Atomic Research Institute was started as the national institute and research laboratories were founded in Tokai-Mura. They have many research and development projects on research reactors, accelerators and facilities to handle radioactive materials safely. The tour includes the visit to the JRR-1 reactor building which already terminated operation and views of other facilities from the bus windows. Many research laboratory buildings and abundant pine trees between them are impressive scene. JRR-1 was a research reactor of water-boiler type with 50kW thermal output .It went critical in August 1957 and had been operated for reactor research and training of reactor engineers. March 1970 it was shut down and decommissioned. The JRR-1 and the reactor building which served as the front runner for reactor science and engineering are preserved as the monument of Japan. |
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5.Terra Park of Tokai Power Station, The Japan Atomic Power Copany Next to the north side of Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai No.1 Station of Japan Atomic Power Company which was the first commercial nuclear power station in Japan, is now in its decommissioning process after its generating operation from 1966 to 2001. At present Tokai No.2 Station (BWR with 110Mw electric power generating capacity) is operating since 1978. We can learn many aspects of nuclear power at the ‘ Tera Park’, although we have no access to the station itself. ‘Nuclear Theater’, Nuclear Exhibit Hall’ and ‘Science Play Land’ are open, and ‘Atom Garden’ and ‘Friendly Corner’ are available to children. |
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6, Reporter’s Note The free Bus Tour for three hours is very useful to understand atomic energy with explanations of guides at every facility. Every facility has excellent displays for us to get knowledge in pleasant situations. As each facility focus on their specific topic, there is no corner on the current new energy sectors as a whole. All facilities are open for us almost any time we want. Facilities have fine conditions with heating and cooling set-ups. Play corner for children are available at facilities. They are convenient spaces for citizens in near-by towns. |
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7. Contact to: Tel: 029-282-3111, Fax: 029-283-0526 E-mail: kanri@ibagen.or.jp HP: http://www.ibagen.or.jp Foreign citizens who want to have the Bus Tour on Wednesday and Friday have to apply for ‘Permission for Bus Tour’ before one month of the tour. Please contact for details. 8. Time Table of the Bus Tour Bus Tours, Twice a day Wednesday, Friday (ordinary days): East side of Tokai JR Station 9:50, 13:15 Ibaraki Sience Museum of Atomic Energy 10:30, 13:55 Sunday (Festival days): East side of Tokai JR Station 9:50, 13:15 Ibaraki Sience Museum of Atomic Energy 10:50, 14:15 Total time for the Tour (Starting from East side of Tokai JR Station) Wednesday, Friday (ordinary days): 3 hours and 15minutes Sunday (Festival days):3 hours and 10minutes |
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