“THE EFFECTS OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENTAL REORGANIZATION ON THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY IN JAPAN”

The government of Japan is aggressively pursuing a reformation of its current organizational structure in order to better handle internal and external demands. The four main objectives of the government reform are to 1) strengthen the function of the Cabinet, 2) reorganize the Central Government, 3) make the administration more transparent, and 4) streamline the government. Taking these objectives to heart, on January 6, 2001, the government of Japan reorganized. Several offices important to the nuclear industry in Japan, such as the Science and Technology Agency (STA), The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), The Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC), and The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), were affected by this reorganization. In some instances, the changes will add a new dimension to the working relationships between the Japanese government and Japanese nuclear agencies and laboratories. Understanding the reorganization of the Japanese government agencies involved in Japan’s nuclear industry can help foreign agencies and laboratories to maintain and even enhance the smooth working relationships they have with their Japanese counterparts. This paper will provide insight into the Japanese government reorganization by outlining it and describing the revised responsibilities of pertinent nuclear agencies within the Japanese government.