Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute
The JNC was established in 1956 as the Atomic Fuel Corporation (AFC). The AFC became the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Cooperation (PNC) in 1967. The PNC became the JNC in 1998. The mission of the incarnations of the JNC was involved with researching, developing and monitoring the nuclear fuel cycle in Japan.
Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute
The JAERI was established in 1956. It's job was to encourage and oversee research on application of nuclear materials and nuclear energy for Japan.
Japan Atomic Energy Agency
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) was formed in 2005 by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency Act of 2005. It was created by the merger of two existing agencies, the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) and the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI).
The scope of the JAEA mission includes basic and application nuclear research, technical evolution of the nuclear fuel cycle, facility sharing, human resource development for the nuclear industry, collection and dissemination of nuclear information, safety regulation, nuclear disaster prevention and response, environmental monitoring, international non-proliferation, and decommissioning and disposal of nuclear waste. There are four major divisions of the JAEA including a Management Sector, R&D directorates, R&D Institutes/centers and a Project Promotion Sector.
The JAEA came under intense scrutiny and criticism for its response (or lack of response) to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Part of the problem was the clumsy, biased and incompetent job the JAEA did in communicating with the Japanese public during and after the disaster.
Japanese Atomic Energy Commission
The Japanese Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) was created in 1956. It is the primary nuclear regulatory agency for nuclear energy and materials in Japan. Its mission is to plan, consider and decide on policies for the promotion of research, development and utilization of nuclear energy. The JAEC also advises the government on the organization and budgeting of nuclear agencies in Japan.
Japanese Nuclear Safety Commission
The Japanese Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) was spun off from the Japanese Atomic Energy Commission in 1978. It is included in the Cabinet of the Japanese Prime Minister and is charged with advising the Prime Minister on matters of nuclear safety.
Japanese Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency
The Japanese Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) was created in 2001 by the 2001 Central Government Reform. It was established to serve as a Japanese regulatory and oversight branch of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. As with the US AEC, the NISA has been criticized for being too cozy with the industry that they are supposed to be regulating. There have been charges that the NISA tried to influence public symposia on the use of nuclear energy in Japan.
New nuclear regulatory agency
As of the end of May, 2012, a new nuclear regulatory agency was in the process of being created by separating the Japanese Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and merging it with the Nuclear Safety Commission to create an agency with less close connection to the Japanese nuclear agency.
Given the grave consequences of the Fukushima disaster and ongoing dangers of the damaged reactors, we can hope that the reorganization of the Japanese governmental bodies that are charged with nuclear oversight and disaster response in Japan are able to improve their competence and integrity.
