No signs of N.Korea nuclear processing: US envoy

Tokyo (AFP) Nov 6, 2010 There are no signs North Korea has resumed nuclear activity at the site where it previously produced weapons-grade plutonium, a former US envoy was quoted as saying Saturday after a trip to the country. Charles Pritchard, former top negotiator with North Korea, was quoted as saying that the Yongbyon complex -- where the isolated state processed plutonium for past nuclear tests -- did not appear to be in operation.
"My reaction is that the reactor, the 5-megawatt reactor, remains shut down, the cooling tower is still destroyed," Pritchard told reporters after a five-day trip to North Korea, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported.
"So at this point, I don't believe there is any additional reprocessing or anything going on" at the reactor, the former top US negotiator with Pyongyang said at a Beijing airport, according to Kyodo.

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Japanese nuclear exports consortium launches from World Nuclear News by Jeremy Gordon

A Japanese consortium has been officially launched in order to help Japan gain orders for nuclear power plants from so-called emerging nuclear countries. The consortium comprises nine electric utilities and three nuclear engineering companies.

Headquartered in Tokyo, JINED is three-quarters owned by nine electric power companies (so-called "epcos"): Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco) (20%); Kansai (15%); Chubu (10%); Hokkaido (5%); Tohoku (5%); Hokuriku (5%); Chugoku (5%); Shikoku (5%); and Kyushu (5%).

Three nuclear engineering companies each hold a 5% stake in the consortium: Toshiba, Hitachi and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). The remaining 10% of JINED is held by Innovation Network of Japan (INCJ) - a joint venture of government and industry.

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Japanese_nuclear_exports_consortium_launches-2610104.html

# # Rare Earth Metals Will Be Mined in Vietnam by the Japanese By: Shino Yuasa | The Christian Science Monitor

Rare Earth Metals Will Be Mined in Vietnam by the Japanese
By: Shino Yuasa | The Christian Science Monitor

Rare earth metals, crucial in advanced manufacturing such as computer disk drives, mobile phones and hybrid car components are produced mainly in China.

 

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Indian PM in Japan for nuclear, trade talks

Indian PM in Japan for nuclear, trade talks Tokyo (AFP) Oct 24, 2010 - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Japan Sunday for a visit aimed at progressing towards a civilian nuclear deal and boosting trade ties between the two nations. Japan and India launched talks in June on signing an atomic civilian cooperation agreement that will allow Tokyo to export nuclear power generation technology to energy-hungry India. But Japan, which was hit by Worl ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Indian_PM_in_Japan_for_nuclear_trade_talks_999.html

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U.S., Partners Prepare New Posture on North Korea

The United States, South Korea and Japan are working to develop a new strategy for engaging with North Korea amid worries that the present program of strong military posturing and economic pressure could result in military conflict with the aspiring nuclear power, the Washington Post reported today (see GSN, Sept. 16).

Washington and its allies are concerned that a policy of "strategic patience" -- waiting for heightened international sanctions to force the North to return to multilateral nuclear negotiations -- could lead to fresh attacks on South Korea or the ratcheting up of Pyongyang's efforts to spread weapons of mass destruction.
U.S. and Asian officials said the basic aspects of a new posture toward the North were coming together with Washington, Seoul and Tokyo in agreement on wanting Pyongyang to issue condolences over the deaths of 46 sailors killed in a March sinking of a South Korean warship. The South had originally demanded that North Korea admit it was behind the sinking of the Cheonan and apologize for the attack.
"This has to be done in a way that addresses the grievances of the South Koreans," a high-level Obama administration official said.
Less certain is whether there will be an allied demand that North Korea take concrete steps to disable its nuclear program prior to returning to the six-party talks which also include China and Russia.
"There are two legs of the stool so far," an informed source said. "Sanctions and military exercises. But [Secretary of State Hillary Clinton] views talking with the North as the indispensable third. If you just continue sanctions and exercises, that's a road to war."
More at link.

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