21 December 2000

 

Answers from:

Science and Nuclear Energy Division

Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

(Mr. Koichi AI, Deputy-Director)

 

Answer to questions from:

Office of Mizuho FUKUSHIMA

House of Councillors

Japanese Diet

Tokyo, Japan

 

QUESTION:

The on-going shipment of vitrified high level nuclear waste (VHLW) is being transported on the Pacific Swan from France to Japan around South America via Cape Horn. Does this signify that future nuclear transports of plutonium-uranium mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel, vitrified high level nuclear waste, and spent nuclear fuel will not be going via the Panama Canal route?

 

ANSWER:

It is impossible that the Panama Canal route will not be utilized. We will be using all three routes --the Panama Canal route, the Cape of Good Hope/between Australia and New Zealand route, and the Cape Horn route-- in a well-balanced manner.

 

Translation by Green Action, Kyoto, Japan

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