October 6, 1998

Press Release Concerning the Start of Full-Scale Operations at the RE-2C Production Facility at the Rokkasho Uranium Enrichment Plant

Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited

JNFL announced that test operations at RE-2C (150tSWU/a), which were begun on 8 July 1998, have been completed, and that full-scale operations were started today. With the start of full-scale operations at RE-2C (150tSWU/a), capacity at the Rokkasho Uranium Enrichment Plant, including the already operating RE-1(600tSWU/a), RE-2A (150tSWU/a) and RE-2B (150tSWU/a) will be 1050 tons SWU annually. One centrifuge that failed to maintain production capacity during test operations was taken off-line.

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 October Operations at RE-2C(150tSWU/a) begin