Japan鈥檚 parliament has passed a bill to break up the troubled organisation
running the country鈥檚 nuclear programme. Following a series of accidents, the
Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation (DONEN) will be
relaunched as the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Development Organisation. The body will
retain control of Japan鈥檚 fast-breeder reactor programme and the processing of
spent nuclear fuel. To reassure a sceptical public, a council of independent
experts will monitor it, with an emphasis on safety and openness.
Japan鈥檚 advanced thermal converter reactor, Fugen, and the country鈥檚 uranium
enrichment programme, will be handed over to a new organisation within five
years.