nuclear-news

With no future in Japan, nuclear engineers move to other countries

Japan the only country in the world equipped with the know-how to operate the two main types of nuclear power reactors — the pressurized water reactor (PWR) and the boiling water reactor (BWR)….

And it has been the engineers of Tepco and other power companies in Japan who have accumulated the know-how to operate nuclear power plants using nuclear power plant components that incorporate the most advanced technology……

Nuclear engineers ditching Japan for a bigger paycheck, SENTAKU MAGAZINE,  July 16, 2012 Although Japan is reputed to be one of the most technologically advanced nations in nuclear power generation, it now faces a serious “brain drain” as some of its highly experienced nuclear engineers are lured to work in other countries for much better remuneration than they could hope to receive at home….
In Japan, public opinion has been increasingly against nuclear power generation since the March 11, 2011, accidents at Tokyo Electric Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

But Japan is one of the few countries that have accumulated the
technology and knowledge needed for a wide range of things related to
nuclear power plants, ranging from planning, designs, manufacturing
and operation to maintenance and inspection of nuclear power plants.
No corporations other than the Japanese trio of Hitachi, Mitsubishi
and Toshiba have the expertise to do these things on their own.

One government official has lamented, however, that there has been a
serious brain drain of nuclear engineers from Japan. Indeed, he says,
huge sums of money are being offered to lure Tepco nuclear engineers
to countries like South Korea and China, which are trying to compete
with Japan as exporters of nuclear power equipment, and Abu Dhabi of
the United Arab Emirates, which is intent on financing the
introduction of nuclear power with the oil money it has
accumulated….. Some major headhunting and consulting firms have
reportedly organized special project teams to entice nuclear engineers
of Tepco and other Japanese power companies to work outside of the
country for higher wages…….
Japan the only country in the world equipped with the know-how to operate the two main types of nuclear power reactors — the pressurized water reactor (PWR) and the boiling water reactor (BWR)……
why some countries are anxious to lure well-qualified nuclear
engineers with extensive experience at nuclear power stations in
Japan.

Nuclear power generation is made possible by the combination of such
components as a pressure vessel, precision piping, a generator, a
heat-resistant turbine and a facility to dispose of radioactive
materials — all requiring highly advanced precision engineering.

Japanese corporations have excelled in every one of these areas.
Hitachi, Mitsubishi and Toshiba have built up broad experience as
general contractors for nuclear power plant construction. Nobody comes
close to Japan Steel Works Ltd. and IHI Corp. when it comes to
designing and manufacturing pressure vessels, while Organo Corp.,
another Japanese firm, is a dominant force in building facilities for
disposing of water from reactors.

And it has been the engineers of Tepco and other power companies in Japan who have accumulated the know-how to operate nuclear power plants using nuclear power plant components that incorporate the most advanced technology……

July 18, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, technology