Japan to Start N-Reactor Export Talks with Saudi Arabia

Abu Dhabi, Feb. 10 (Jiji Press)--Japan has agreed with Saudi Arabia to start talks on nuclear power reactor export, informed sources said Sunday. As a first step, the Japanese government aims to agree on a nuclear cooperation document with Saudi Arabia. Based on the document, Japan will provide the Middle Eastern country with information on nuclear technology, human resource development, and research and development to pave the way for a bilateral nuclear cooperation treaty, which is needed for the export, the sources said. This will be a move for Japan to resume nuclear reactor export, which has been frozen since the March 2011 nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s <9501> Fukushima No. 1 power plant. Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi agreed in his meeting in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, on Saturday with King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy Vice President Walid bin Hussein Abu Faraj to start the nuclear reactor export talks, according to the sources. Motegi was quoted as saying in the meeting that Japan, which underwent the 2011 nuclear accident, hopes to contribute to construction of safe nuclear power reactors by capitalizing on its experience. Saudi Arabia plans to build 16 nuclear power reactors by 2030. For the plan, Riyadh has already concluded treaties with three countries including South Korea and holding talks with other three nations including the United States. END