An International Atomic Energy Agency team of experts will carry out a peer review mission in Japan this month to assess its regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety.

Invited by Japan, the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission - with experts from Member States and the IAEA – will take place between 11 and 22 January.

The experts will meet with staff of Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), observe regulatory activities and visit nuclear-related sites. They will also meet with other Japanese officials.

A joint news conference with the NRA will be held in Tokyo on the mission’s last day.

IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national radiation safety regulatory infrastructure, while recognizing the responsibility of each State to ensure nuclear and radiation safety. Over the last decade, more than 70 IRRS missions were carried out worldwide, including one in Japan in 2007.

The IRRS team comprises 24 members: from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and five IAEA staff.

Philippe Jamet, Commissioner of the French Nuclear Safety Authority, will lead the team. Gustavo Caruso, Director of the IAEA Office of Safety and Security Coordination, will be the team coordinator. Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, will join the mission toward its end.

IRRS missions compare regulatory technical and policy issues with IAEA safety standards and, where appropriate, good practices elsewhere. The review results in a report that identifies good practices and provides recommendations and suggestions for improvements.

The IRRS team will deliver a draft report to the NRA on the last day of the mission. The final report will be delivered about three months after the mission’s conclusion.

On Friday, 22 January, there will be a brief photo/filming opportunity at the beginning of the mission's final meeting, which is set to start at 10 a.m. at NRA. The meeting will be followed by a press conference, expected to start around 11 a.m. To register for these events, please email details including name, media name and telephone number by noon (Tokyo time) on 21 January to NRA.