French nuke fuel firm head, 5 experts to visit Japan to offer aid
Mar. 30, 2011
A French nuclear fuel company said Tuesday its president is about to visit Japan with five of the country's nuclear experts to tackle the crisis at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, according to Radio France.
Anne Lauvergeon, president of Areva SA, and the experts are expected to offer assistance in removing contaminated water accumulating inside nuclear reactors at the plant in northeastern Japan, a task currently considered to be of the highest importance as the water has been hindering restoration work.
According to the radio, the five specialize in the removal of radioactive contaminants and in the management of nuclear waste storage pools.
Lauvergeon will visit Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Wednesday before meeting with top officials of the plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Co., the radio reported.
Areva is commissioned by Japanese power companies to process uranium-plutonium mixed-oxide fuel, so-called MOX fuel. MOX fuel used at the No. 3 reactor unit at the Fukushima Daiichi plant was manufactured by Areva and was shipped from France in 1999.
The president's visit appears to underline France's full-fledged commitment in supporting Japan, which has asked for French help in tackling the crisis.
The president and the experts will later meet with Areva's Japan-based employees to discuss other types of possible support it can offer for solving the crisis at the plant, which was severely damaged by the March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunami.
France is a leading country in nuclear power generation. French President Nicolas Sarkozy will visit Japan on Thursday and is expected to express his country's full support in helping Japan tackle multiple crises triggered by the earthquake and tsunami, after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
(Distributed by Kyodo News on March 29, 2011)
Anne Lauvergeon, president of Areva SA, and the experts are expected to offer assistance in removing contaminated water accumulating inside nuclear reactors at the plant in northeastern Japan, a task currently considered to be of the highest importance as the water has been hindering restoration work.
According to the radio, the five specialize in the removal of radioactive contaminants and in the management of nuclear waste storage pools.
Lauvergeon will visit Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Wednesday before meeting with top officials of the plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Co., the radio reported.
Areva is commissioned by Japanese power companies to process uranium-plutonium mixed-oxide fuel, so-called MOX fuel. MOX fuel used at the No. 3 reactor unit at the Fukushima Daiichi plant was manufactured by Areva and was shipped from France in 1999.
The president's visit appears to underline France's full-fledged commitment in supporting Japan, which has asked for French help in tackling the crisis.
The president and the experts will later meet with Areva's Japan-based employees to discuss other types of possible support it can offer for solving the crisis at the plant, which was severely damaged by the March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunami.
France is a leading country in nuclear power generation. French President Nicolas Sarkozy will visit Japan on Thursday and is expected to express his country's full support in helping Japan tackle multiple crises triggered by the earthquake and tsunami, after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
(Distributed by Kyodo News on March 29, 2011)
