Present Status of Fast Breeder Reactor Development in Japan

The recent worldwide trend toward a stable uranium supply, slow growth in energy demand, and the progress in light water reactor technology necessitates much improvement in fast breeder reactor (FBR) technology if FBRs are to be commercially feasible and a stable future energy supply ensured. Commercialization of the FBR is now generally expected to be realized in the 2020s to 2030s, and much effort is being expended worldwide in upgrading FBR technology. In Japan, FBR development has the following goals:

1. upgrade current technology (up to the Monju reactor)
2. develop innovative or advanced technology
3. develop a reactor in conjunction with fuel cycle development.