President's Message

Greetings from the President

The Society's primary responsibility is to steadily deliver relevant information to members who agree with the founding objectives, through the Society's journal, annual meetings and congresses, reports, seminars and workshops, as well as news distributed via the mailing list, etc. and to provide a place where members with diverse opinions from various organizations can communicate their own opinions within certain rules, stimulate each other, and enhance their expert knowledge and the academic base. The opinions here include not only research presentations and paper submissions at annual meetings and academic congresses, but also those based on activities in subcommittees, branches and technical committees, discussions in standing committees, standard-setting discussions including subcommittees and technical committees, and multi-faceted discussions in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Review Committee (hereinafter referred to as Decommissioning Review Committee), the Fukushima Special Project and various liaison meetings. These opinions will lead to the dissemination of the latest scientific, technological and/or sociological achievements to society. These are the basis on which we intend to further develop the Society.

As you are aware, the discussion on the realization of GX in the background of the recent international situation and environmental problems has become a major tailwind for the use of nuclear energy, and discussions on so-called next-generation innovative reactors, especially innovative light water reactors, are becoming more active. Moreover, the steady restart of light water reactors is the most important thing in the use of nuclear energy. The basic premise for the use of nuclear energy is the reconstruction of Fukushima and the maintenance and improvement of the safety of nuclear power generation, and it is important to steadily promote these, together with the early realization of the nuclear fuel cycle, smooth decommissioning and the management and disposal of waste. In addition to energy, the advanced use of radiation is also in harmony with the so-called 'well-being' orientation of society, and further progress in this area is eagerly awaited. In view of this situation, the following three initiatives will be the focus of this year's work.

Firstly, based on the fact that the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station could not be prevented, we will continue to disseminate academic recommendations, mainly by the Decommissioning Review Committee, respond to the interests and needs of the local people through the Fukushima Special Project, disseminate collaboration activities from the 'Liaison Association of Academic Societies Contributing to Fukushima Recovery and Decommissioning Promotion', for which the Society serves as secretary, and expand the structure of this Liaison Association. We will also continue to work towards the realization of "Future activities of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan based on the follow-up to the recommendations of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident Investigation Commission (by AESJ)".

Secondly, we will continue to discuss how to communicate the expert knowledge of our members and the latest scientific and technological achievements to a diverse society in the Information Dissemination Study Sub-Committee, along with the promotion of diversity and inclusion and the utilization of the newly introduced KAIYU system (a free system that provides more people with highly objective information and opportunities to interact with experts). And we will also put into practice the issuing of position statements that were developed by the Public Relations and Information Committee in the previous year.

Thirdly, with regard to the future of the Society, we would like to promote cooperation between the Young Generation Network and the Student Network and the Board of Directors on the basis of the report of the Working Group on the Future Vision, and to deepen discussions towards transdisciplinary research (interdisciplinary co-creation research), i.e., research to solve social problems through cooperation between researchers, industry, government and civil society organizations, in addition to interdisciplinary characteristics by fusing multiple fields.

The role of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan has become even more important because the environment surrounding nuclear energy is currently undergoing significant change. We will continue and develop the various activities of the society, including those described above, and promote international exchange and cooperation with the Science Council of Japan and other societies. Besides, in terms of finances, which form the basis for these activities, we aim to operate the society in a balanced budget and strive for stable management. We look forward to your continued support and cooperation in the future.