Japan to contribute 4 million euros to IAEA for nuclear safety

VIENNA: Japan pledged to contribute 4 million euros, to help the International Atomic Energy Agency in implementing its action plan to raise safety levels at nuclear reactors worldwide.

The announcement was made yesterday by Toshiro Ozawa, ambassador at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, at a meeting of the board of governors at the Vienna-based nuclear watchdog.

How the money will be spent will be determined in upcoming talks with the IAEA. Items will likely include travel expenses for IAEA nuclear safety inspection teams in line with the 12-point action plan and costs for holding conferences on boosting nuclear reactor safety, officials said.

The IAEA adopted the action plan at its annual assembly last September in response to the crisis triggered at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in northeast Japan by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Under the action plan, all countries possessing nuclear reactors are required to allow IAEA investigators into their facilities.