Profile of Commissioners

Activities

As a leading researcher, Dr. YAMANAKA dedicated himself to research in the field of nuclear engineering and radioactive fuel engineering and materials, such as fuel safety research related to severe nuclear reactor accidents.

Dr. YAMANAKA has contributed to promoting nuclear regulations and nuclear research as a member of NRA’s Nuclear Fuel Safety Examination Committee and NRA’s Technical Committee on Backend, and a program officer of MEXT’s Nuclear Safety System R&D Project.

Message

The Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan was established as an independent regulatory authority based on lessons learned from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. Since that time, we have made tireless efforts to ensure transparency and implement regulatory measures reflecting the latest domestic and international information and lessons.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident is still fresh in our memory. The NRA has maintained a keen sense of mission and responsibility at the highest levels, but it is also true that, as human beings, we tend to forget things over time. Thus, it is essential to engrave the lessons learned from Fukushima in the NRA’s institutional memory rather than just personal reflections.

We must avoid lapsing into a mind-set of self-satisfaction and recognize that the pursuit of the highest safety standards is our highest, ongoing priority. I am determined to do my best to instill widespread confidence in our nuclear safety regulations based on independence and transparency.

Activities

As a member of Committees 1 and 4 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and Japanese delegation to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), Dr. BAN has been involved in international reviews and discussions on radiation effects and protection.

As a leading expert in radiation effects and radiological protection, he worked with governmental and institutional committees to address issues of radiation exposure and its health effects.

Dr. BAN chaired Steering Committee on “Q&A about Radiation in Daily Life” of Japan Health Physics Society and coordinated its activities. He has worked to disseminate scientific knowledge about the effects and risks of radiation.

Message

The ultimate purpose of safety regulation is to protect humans. As for radiation safety, it means to protect people from harm of radiation exposure. The experience of Fukushima Daiichi Accident indicates that the issue should not be confined to biological effects to humans, but should be taken from the perspective of people living in the society. I will do my best at every single task, giving due consideration of radiation risks on a scientific basis and keeping human dimension in mind.

Activities

Dr. SUGIYAMA worked on research for nuclear reactor safety and risk assessment at JAERI and JAEA.

As a leading expert in the field of nuclear reactor and fuel, Dr. SUGIYAMA contributed to international activities such as the Halden Reactor Project, the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI), and the Working Group on the Analysis and Management of Accidents (WGAMA) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA).

As a seconded staff to NRA, Dr. SUGIYAMA engaged in conformity review of commercial power reactors to the new regulatory requirements concerning severe accident.

Message

Without forgetting the regret and sense of powerlessness in face of the accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, I would like to make use of the knowledge and experience I have gained so far and fulfill my responsibilities sincerely as a commissioner of the NRA. In addition, I will engage in the NRA's activities, always being aware of a series of role; taking over the NRA's 10-year achievements, addressing the remaining challenges and new challenges that will emerge in the future, and delivering better things to the future.

Activities

• Dr. Nagasaki is a leading nuclear researcher on radioactive waste disposal at The University of Tokyo and McMaster University in Canada.
• Dr. Nagasaki has been elected as Canada Research Chair and involved in nuclear education programs that produces high-quality human resources. He has been engaged in research and education from international perspective on radioactive waste disposal and nuclear fuel cycle.
• Dr. Nagasaki has contributed to the international development of nuclear engineering education and research in Japan and Canada as Fellow of Forschungszentrum Rossendorf in Germany (now The Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf) and the School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo.

Message

Based on the law and the latest objective scientific and technological facts and information, I will fulfill my responsibilities as Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulation Authority in to protect the lives, health and property of the public, preserve the environment and contribute to national security.
At the same time, I will fulfill my responsibility as a member of Regulatory Authority that can continue to motivate operators with primary responsibility for the safety of their operations to improve their voluntary safety to even higher levels.

Activities

• Dr. Yamaoka has been engaged in earthquake and volcano observation research at Nagoya University and the Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, and is leading earthquake and volcano research. He has also contributed to the measures of Nankai Trough Earthquake and the prevention of volcanic disaster at Mt. Ontake, for which he received FY2021 Prime Minister’s Commendations to Contributors for Disaster Prevention.
• Dr. Yamaoka served as the president of the Seismological Society of Japan and the chair of Coordinating Committee for Earthquake Prediction. He has worked to disseminate the latest knowledge about earthquakes as well as promote seismological research.
• Dr. Yamaoka has contributed to the activities of NRA, as a Review Commissioner of the Reactor Safety Examination Committee and Nuclear Fuel Safety Expert Examination Committee, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Earthquake and Tsunami Hazards, and an external expert of the Working Group on Earthquake Ground Motions Without Specifying the Hypocenter.

Message

Japan is exposed to the threat of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. The 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011 was an earthquake of an unexpected scale, far beyond the expectations of seismologists, including myself, and demonstrated the devastating damage that can be caused by a mega-earthquake. Keeping in mind that natural phenomena can sometimes exceed predictions, I will constantly collect, evaluate, and organize new knowledge, and in my role as Commissioner, I will utilize my experience as a researcher for seismology and volcanology to ensure that a serious accident like the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident is never repeated.