May 19, 1997

The Press Release Concerning Receipt of a Confirmation Certificate for Off-Site Radioactive Waste Disposal, and the Result of Inspections and Measurements of phase II Returned Vitrified Waste(1st cask, 20 canisters)

Tokyo Electric Power Company Kyushu Electric Power Company Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited

The above parties announced that the electricity companies which own the vitrified waste received a confirmation certificate from the director of the Science and Technology Agency today, regarding an application dated September 5, 1996, to confirm off-site disposal of radioactive waste. Inspections and measurement of 7 criteria were conducted by Japan Nuclear Fuels Limited. The results are stated in the accompanying attachments. The 20 canisters for which the confirmation certificate was received today are scheduled to be installed in JNFL storage pits tomorrow.

[Supplement] Results of Phase II Returned Vitrified Radioactive Waste Inspection and measurement (1st cask, 20 canisters) Japan Nuclear Fuels Limited conducted inspections and measurements of 20 canisters(10 for Tokyo Power Electric Company, and 10 for Kyushu Electric Power Company) out of a total of 40 canisters of Returned Vitrified Radioactive Waste received on March 18,1997, to confirm that the waste can be stored and managed safely at the JNFL Vitrified Waste Storage Centre. Seven inspection and measurement criteria were applied: (1)heat emission (2)appearance (3)size (4)weight (5)radioactive levels (6)surface cleanliness (7)confinement test Inspections and measurements were conducted from April 4 to May 9 1997. The results confirmed that the canister count was correct, and that the waste therein met all standards for the 7 criteria. In conclusion, 20 canisters out of the 40 canisters received were confirmed ready for safe storage and management at the Vitrified Waste Storage Centre. The results of the inspections and measurements are stated in the following attachments. (reference) * Attached table: Outline of Inspection and Measurement Results of Vitrified Waste. * Attached table: Inspection and Measurement Results of Vitrified Waste.