mansfieldfdn | The U.S.-Japan Nuclear Working Group is an independent,
bi-national group of experts that has been convened to examine the
broader strategic implications of the Fukushima accident. As reflected
in the group’s diverse makeup and sponsorship, the group as a whole
neither discourages nor advocates for nuclear energy. Nor does the group
seek to duplicate the many high quality studies of the causes and
immediate lessons of the Fukushima accident. Rather, the group seeks to
understand, articulate, and advocate for the broader, bilaterally shared
strategic interests that stand to be impacted, positively or
negatively, through changes to Japan’s nuclear energy paradigm. The
U.S.-Japan Nuclear Working Group Program is the product of a partnership
between the Mansfield Foundation, the Federation of American
Scientists, and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
To develop a fuller understanding of the circumstances and
implications of Japan’s fast-evolving energy policy situation, the
U.S.-Japan Nuclear Working Group has held discussions with opinion
leaders and policymakers in Japan, the United States, and the global
nuclear governance community in Vienna, Austria. Over the course of four
meetings, the group has met individuals including members of Japan’s
cabinet and ministries, editorial writers for Japan’s major newspapers,
leaders in Japan’s anti-nuclear movement, Japanese nuclear industry
officials, Japan’s mission to UN agencies in Vienna, American diplomats
in Japan and Vienna, prominent individuals in the Washington, D.C. and
Vienna foreign policy, nonproliferation, and disarmament communities,
and key staff at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
including the director general.
Reflecting its discussions over the past twelve months, in April
2013, the U.S.-Japan Nuclear Working Group released a report of its
findings and recommendations entitled: Statement on Shared Strategic Priorities in the Aftermath of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident.
In May 2013 the group will discuss its report with members of the
Washington, D.C. policy community. The following autumn, members of the
group will engage in a similar outreach effort with Japan’s policy
community. The group will also engage the Japanese public through public
seminars in Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima, with details for the event
made available on the main page of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation website in the preceding weeks.
The group’s activities have been made possible primarily through the
support of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, The Maureen and Mike Mansfield
Foundation, the Federation of American Scientists, the Smith Richardson
Foundation, and the Carnegie Corporation. Generous in-kind support was
provided by All Nippon Airways, and supplementary, unrestricted grants
were received from Hitachi, Toshiba, Mitsubishi and the Chubu Electric
Power Company. Several of the group’s members have funded their own
participation.
