new organization and on how to establish a more effective and strong system of safety regulation.

Furthermore, based on the Basic Policy, an Advisory Committee for Prevention of Nuclear Accidents was established to deliberate on the ideal organization for nuclear safety regulations and on reinforcing nuclear safety regulations. In the committee meeting, the minister in charge called for those with professional knowledge in related fields to participate in the meeting and present their opinions. Four sessions of the Advisory Committee for Prevention of Nuclear Accidents were held between October 4, 2011 and December 2, 2011. At these sessions, a proposal for an Advisory Committee for Prevention of Nuclear Accidents was adopted and seven principals were determined for restructuring organizations related to nuclear safety regulations. The seven reform concepts are: (1) separation of regulation and use; (2) unification; (3) risk management; (4) developing human resources; (5) new safety regulations; (6) transparency; and (7) internationality.

On the basis of the discussions, the Law for Partial Revision of the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of the Environment for Reforming Organizations and Institutions Regarding Nuclear Safety (draft) and the Act for Establishment of the Nuclear Safety Research Committee (draft) were adopted to establish organizations and institutions for ensuring nuclear safety and approved by the Cabinet on January 31, 2012 and submitted to the Diet.

These amended laws aim to regain lost confidence and reinforce administrative function concerning nuclear safety. Under these laws, the Nuclear Safety Division of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency is separated from the Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Industry to fully implement “the separation of regulation and use.” In addition to that, they also aim to reorganize the unification of the related work concerning ensuring safe nuclear energy and organize a new nuclear safety regulation system for taking prompt measures in case of accident.

Considering the current international situation, as a basic rule, the purpose of the revised Atomic Energy Basic Act protects people's health and environment from the harmful effects of radiation. And the revised Basic Environment Act includes formerly excluded protective measures for air pollution caused by radioactive materials.

Furthermore, to reconsider regulations concerning ensuring safe nuclear energy and other institutions, the laws enable the Act on the Regulation of Nuclear Source Material, Nuclear Fuel Material and Reactors to change into the institutions that adopt authorized nuclear plant to the standards based on the latest scientific and social knowledge. In addition to that, above mentioned laws reinforce measures against the serious accidents and restrict the operating period. At the same time, they adjust the relationship with Electricity Business Act and review safety regulations for the nuclear power plant. Regarding the Special Measure of Nuclear Disaster Act, fully protective measures for the nuclear disaster is fully implemented. And this act serves to further strengthen countermeasures against nuclear disaster provided by the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters set up on the occurrence of nuclear emergency. Even after the nuclear emergency situation is cancelled, measures after the accident should be definitely implemented.

In the Diet at present, discussion is held from various points of view to reinforce the organizations and institutions concerning the nuclear safety regulation. (As of May 16, 2012)