Nation's embrace of plutonium fuels alarm over security, costs

摘要

Japan's move to boost its production of plutonium has raised growing alarm in East Asia and the United States because of the material's suitability for both nuclear weapons and fuel. U.S. officials have lobbied for years in an attempt to convince Japan that the growing Rokkasho plutonium-production complex -- expected to be completed in October -- was too dangerous a target for terrorist groups and needed better protection. Japan needs more than its existing group of unarmed guards and a small police unit at the plant, and it should perform background checks on 2,400 workers employed there, according to U.S. officials. Some U.S.-based nuclear experts blame Japan's pacifist society for providing a false sense of security for nuclear officials, who some argue are too quick to defer to utilities on security plans. Japan opts not to post armed guards or perform background checks at many facilities, citing the country's low gun ownership and respect for privacy.