July 9 1998

The Press Release Concerning Receipt of a Confirmation Certificate for Off-Site Radioactive Waste Disposal, and the Result of Inspections and Measurements of Phase III Returned Vitrified Waste(2nd cask, 20 canisters)

Chubu 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 October 2 1997, to confirm off-site disposal of radioactive waste. Inspections and measurements of 7 criteria were conducted by Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited. The results are stated in the accompanying attachment. 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 III Returned Vitrified Radioactive Waste Inspection and measurement (2nd cask, 20 canisters) Japan Nuclear Fuels Limited conducted inspections and measurements of 20 canisters(10 for Chubu Electric Power Company, and 10 for Kyushu Electric Power Company) out of a total of 60 canisters of Returned Vitrified Radioactive Waste received on March 13,1998, 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 June 15 to July 1 1998. 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 60 canisters received were confirmed ready for safe storage and management at the Vitrified Waste Storage Centre.