WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) today signed a new agreement to broaden the existing partnership on nonproliferation, and nuclear safeguards and security. 

Jerry Paul, NNSA principal deputy administrator, and Ryo Kimura, JAEA executive director, signed the agreement.

“Japan is an important partner in global nuclear nonproliferation efforts.  This agreement reaffirms our commitment to work together and further solidifies our 20 year history of cooperating on nuclear safety and security,” said Paul.

The agreement establishes an outline for the two agencies to cooperate on projects to improve technologies and procedures for nuclear materials control and accounting; implement advanced nuclear materials containment and surveillance systems; and enhance the physical protection of nuclear materials and facilities.

“Under this agreement, we will be able to work together to develop new technologies and safeguards approaches that will help to meet future global energy needs by using a secure and proliferation-resistant nuclear fuel cycle.  This agreement is important to the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership that President Bush announced earlier this year,” said Paul.

U.S.-Japanese cooperation on nuclear security and nonproliferation is extensive.  The first formal safeguards agreement was reached with Japan in 1988.  Additionally, the U.S. has partnered with Japan on export control and regional security issues, physical protection for nuclear sites, radiation detection systems for border crossings and seaports, and research reactor conversions.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science.  NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Media contact(s):
NNSA Public Affairs (202) 586-7371