Radioactive waste management: Andra deepens exchanges with Japan
From 29 September to 7 October, an Andra delegation led by Chief Executive Officer Lydie Evrard travelled to Japan for a series of meetings with key organisations involved in radioactive waste management. The visit provided an opportunity to build on existing partnerships, develop new areas of cooperation and exchange experience on shared long-term challenges.
Following discussions with the French Ambassador to Japan on the objectives of the mission, the Andra delegation met with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO), the organisation responsible for developing a deep geological disposal programme for high-level radioactive waste. Cooperation between Andra and NUMO dates back to 2018 and was extended for a further five years in 2023.
Discussions focused in particular on the search for a deep geological disposal site, a key issue for Japan. NUMO is currently conducting literature-based geological studies on Minami-Torishima Island and announced on 30 September the launch of a new study in Hitachiomiya, in Ibaraki Prefecture. In this context, the experience gained in France through geological investigations and the development of the Cigéo project provides valuable insight and lessons learned for Japanese teams.
Lydie Evrard also presented Andra's projects and recent developments during a conference organised by NUMO for its staff. Discussions also covered waste acceptance criteria for disposal facilities and opportunities for future collaboration.
The delegation also met with representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), NUMO's supervising ministry, to discuss recent developments in Japan's site selection process.
Sharing experience in radioactive waste management
The mission also took the delegation to the Rokkasho site, operated by Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL), a major player in Japan's nuclear sector. The site includes radioactive waste storage facilities as well as a near-surface disposal facility for low-level radioactive waste.
Andra's teams learned more about JNFL's ongoing projects, including the planned expansion of the disposal facility, whose capacity is expected to increase from approximately 125,000 m³ to 600,000 m³. The delegation also visited storage facilities for vitrified high-level waste packages awaiting future deep geological disposal, as well as infrastructure supporting future spent fuel reprocessing activities at the site.
In parallel, JNFL is studying the possibility of intermediate-depth disposal, at around 100 metres below ground level, for the most radioactive category of low-level waste under the Japanese classification system. According to Lydie Evrard, this approach echoes the studies and research conducted by Andra on long-term management solutions for long-lived low-level waste (LL-LLW).
Exchanging experience on decommissioning and remediation
Another major focus of the visit was the exchange of experience on the legacy of the Fukushima Daiichi accident. Notably, Andra met with Fukushima Dialogue, which promotes engagement with local stakeholders, and JESCO, which is involved in remediation activities and the management of resulting waste.
Discussions focused on strategies for managing waste arising from remediation and nuclear decommissioning activities, areas in which French and Japanese organisations can learn from each other's experience. Andra also met with representatives of the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to discuss the management of the large volumes of contaminated soil generated by remediation operations in the Fukushima region.
The visit concluded with Andra's participation, alongside organisations including CEA, Orano and EDF, in the annual Decommissioning & Dismantling seminar organised by the French Embassy in Japan.
Building on shared experience
This visit reflects Andra's commitment to strengthening cooperation between France and Japan in radioactive waste management, while promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience on shared long-term challenges.
As both countries continue to pursue ambitious long-term radioactive waste management programmes, international cooperation and the exchange of experience remain essential for advancing technical solutions and strengthening collective knowledge.