July 7 1998

Press Release Concerning the Start of Test Operations at the RE-2C Production Facility at the Rokkasho Uranium Enrichment Plant Scheduled for FY1998

Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited

JNFL currently operates the RE-1 (600tSWU/a) production facility which was built during the first phase of construction and the RE-2A (150tSWU/a) and the RE-2B (150tSWU/a) production facility which were build during the second phase of construction, at the Rokkasho Uranium Enrichment Plant. Construction work on the first half of the RE-2 (450tSWU/a) production facility which was begun in September 1993 is now complete, and test operation of RE-2C (150tSWU/a) is scheduled to begin on 8 July 1998. Full-scale operations are expected to begin in October 1998.

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In test operations, the uranium hexafluoride (UF6) will be placed into a centrifuge. Production capacity will be tested while checking the state of the centrifuges.

Chronology of Rokkasho Uranium Enrichment Plant Operations to Date

Phase I (RE-1 [600tSWU/a]) 1987 May Application to operate nuclear fuel manufacturing business filed 1988 August Permission to operate nuclear fuel manufacturing business granted October Construction of RE-1 uranium enrichment plant begins 1992 March Operations at RE-1A (150tSWU/a) begin December Operations at RE-1B (150tSWU/a) begin 1993 May Operations at RE-1D (150tSWU/a) begin 1994 September Operations at RE-1C (150tSWU/a) begin Phase II (Stage 1 of RE-2 [450tSWU/a]) 1992 July Application to expand nuclear fuel manufacturing business filed 1993 July Permission granted September Construction of RE-2 uranium enrichment plant begins 1997 October Operations at RE-2A (150tSWU/a) begin 1998 April Operations at RE-2B (150tSWU/a) begin