FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 15, 1998

CONTACT: Sharon Tanzer
202-822-8444

FALSIFICATION OF SAFETY DATA RAISES
NEW CONCERNS ABOUT JAPANESE PLUTONIUM

Washington---Paul Leventhal, president of the Nuclear Control Institute, today issued the following statement about disclosure of falsification of safety data in Japan's plutonium program:

"The falsification of safety data in Japan's plutonium program, even after the demise of Donen, raises yet another serious question about the government's plan to introduce plutonium as fuel in nuclear power reactors.

"Nuclear energy is an unforgiving technology. Small mistakes can have major consequences, especially when highly toxic, weapons-usable plutonium is involved.

"The unwillingness of an engineering firm to obey safety standards now makes it necessary for the Transport Ministry to go back to the drawing board to re-evaluate the plutonium fuel shipping casks. Similar safety reviews will have to be undertaken by Donen's replacement, as well."

NCI