Nuclear Nonproliferation Support Center Opens

08 February 2011

DENKI SHIMBUN (TOKYO)--Japan opened the Integrated Comprehensive Support Center for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Nuclear Security on February 4. The facility will provide training in the principles of nuclear material protection systems, regulatory frameworks, and facility design for nuclear material protection for developing countries with new nuclear power capabilities. Shunsuke Kondo, the head of Japan's Atomic Energy Commission, and Jill Cooley, the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Division of Concepts and Planning Director, both spoke at the facility's opening ceremony. The facility is located near many other nuclear power related facilities (at the blue marker on the map above; click to enlarge). Source: http://www.shimbun.denki.or.jp/en/news/20110208_01.html (Reliability: 43.4 -- Moderate)

Analysis:
It is highly likely that nuclear non-proliferation efforts will be a major political movement at least through the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul. Additionally, it is likely that countries will continue to provide necessary support for developing countries that wish to pursue nuclear power. The IAEA will likely provide a supportive role in this endeavor. In January of 2011, the United States announced the construction of similar facilities in Russia and China. (Analytic Confidence: High)