Country-specific Safety Culture Forum (CSSCF) Japan was initiated in late 2022, with the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), the Federation of Electric Power Companies (FEPC) and the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan agreeing on the basic framework for the project and then planning the initial steps for a data-gathering exercise. Consistent with the previous CSSCF activities, substantive work began with this data collection effort. The NEA travelled to many Japanese nuclear organisation offices and facilities and a data collection team held 91 interviews and focus group sessions across the nuclear operations community and the NRA, gathering perspectives and information from 368 participants. The organisations included all 11 nuclear power plant operators in Japan, a fuel reprocessing company, and the Japanese nuclear regulator (NRA). The participants interviewed were specifically chosen from various levels and across diverse operational units within the organisations, ranging from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO) level to middle managers to operational staff.

The data collected across all activities resulted in an overview of specific national characteristics, themes and relevant concepts in safety culture reflective of the Japanese nuclear context. These findings supported the development of a scenario script that was used as a basis for discussion at a two-day forum held on 14-15 December 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The Forum was attended by a large and diverse group representing very senior to more junior level staff of the national nuclear organisations that took part in the data collection exercise, including international guests and local government representatives. The Forum allowed for an in-depth exploration of the Japanese national characteristics and themes and their potential impacts on nuclear safety culture.

The findings are detailed in the NEA report Country-Specific Safety Culture Forum: Japan launched online and at an in-person event on 30 July 2024.

Video: The NEA interviewed organisers and experts who participated in the Country-Specific Safety Culture Forum (CSSCF) in Japan in December 2023. 
Japanese version.

Previous CSSCF

Each CSSCF is convened through a national two-day Forum: 

The first CSSCF held in Sweden in 2018 was co-organised with WANO in collaboration with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM). The event brought together over 60 participants from the Swedish nuclear community and international observers from France, Finland, Japan, Korea, South Africa and the United States, representing industry and regulatory organisations. 

The second CSSCF held in Finland in 2019 was co-organised with WANO in collaboration with the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK). Approximately 50 professionals from the Finnish nuclear sector participated, including staff and management from license holders and license applicants in Finland, as well as staff and leaders from the regulatory body.

The third CSSCF held in Canada in 2022 was co-organised with WANO in collaboration with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Over 80 participants attended and proactively engaged in the deliberations of the Forum, which were fruitful and delivered positive outcomes. International experts from France, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom participated as observers during the event.

The fourth CSSCF held in Japan in 2023 was co-organised with WANO in collaboration with the Japan Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) and the Federation of Electric Power Companies (FEPC). The Forum was attended by a large and diverse group of representatives (with more than 100 participants) representing very senior to more junior level staff of the Japanese national nuclear organisations, including international guests from the People’s Republic of China, Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The fifth CSSCF will be held in Switzerland in November 2024 and will be co-organised with WANO and in collaboration with the Swiss Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ENSI).

10:00-10:30    Opening remarks by NEA Director-General, William D. Magwood, IV
10:30-10:45    The CSSCF process in Japan - overview and observations
10:45-11:15    Explanation of the report and its insights
11:15-12:00    Q&A session

16:50-17:50   Panel discussion-2 (Utility and Regulator reflections)
17:50-18:00   Closing remarks by NEA Director-General, William D. Magwood, IV