Japan Electric Association
Encyclopedia
The is a membership organisation for the electricity sector in Japan
and, although it has roots dating back to 1892, was founded in October 1921. It currently has around 4,800 corporate and individual members.
The JCA also acts as the main lobby group for the Japanese power companies and is active in promoting nuclear power.
Among its other work, the JCA promotes education, publishes a range of books and guides, and holds lectures, seminars and cultural events. Since 1942 the ECA has published The Denki Shimbun (The Electric Daily News), originally founded in 1907 as the Electrical News.
, including the Rules of Quality Assurance for Safety of Nuclear Power Plants (JEAC 4111-2003) and the Guideline for Development and Design of Computerized Human-Machine Interface in the Central Control Room (JEAG 4617-2005), intended to meet the performance requirements specified under the Electricity Utilities Industry Law As of 2007, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency
were engaged in the process of evaluating certain standards produced by the JEA and others for technical adequacy.
There have been allegations that the JEA wields too much power in setting standards. Professor Katsuhiko Ishibashi
, one of the seismologists
on a Japanese government subcommittee that produced the 2006 Regulatory Guide for Reviewing Seismic Design of Nuclear Power Reactor Facilities claimed that the review process was 'unscientific' and the outcome rigged to suit the interests of the JEA, which had 11 of its committee members on the 19-member government subcommittee and that among other problems the guide was 'seriously flawed' as a consequence because it underestimated the design basis earthquake ground motion
.
s, a function subsequently transferred to the Japan Electric Meters Inspection Corporation (JEMIC).
The Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories (JET) were founded as the Japan Electrical Testing Laboratories of Japan Electric Association in February 1963.
Electricity sector in Japan
The electric power industry in Japan covers the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy in Japan.- Consumption :In 2008, Japan consumed an average of 8507 kWh/person of electricity...
and, although it has roots dating back to 1892, was founded in October 1921. It currently has around 4,800 corporate and individual members.
Activities
The JCA has a number of committees that set national technical guidelines (JEAGs), codes (JEACs) and standards covering areas ranging from electrical safety to the design of nuclear power stations some of which are regarded as optional 'independent standards of the private sectors' while others have official status as the 'standards of academic societies and associations'.The JCA also acts as the main lobby group for the Japanese power companies and is active in promoting nuclear power.
Among its other work, the JCA promotes education, publishes a range of books and guides, and holds lectures, seminars and cultural events. Since 1942 the ECA has published The Denki Shimbun (The Electric Daily News), originally founded in 1907 as the Electrical News.
Nuclear power
Through the work of its committees, the JCA prepares and publishes a number of codes and guides for the Japanese nuclear power industryNuclear power in Japan
Nuclear energy was a national strategic priority in Japan, but there has been concern about the ability of Japan's nuclear plants to withstand seismic activity...
, including the Rules of Quality Assurance for Safety of Nuclear Power Plants (JEAC 4111-2003) and the Guideline for Development and Design of Computerized Human-Machine Interface in the Central Control Room (JEAG 4617-2005), intended to meet the performance requirements specified under the Electricity Utilities Industry Law As of 2007, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency
Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency
The is a Japanese nuclear regulatory and oversight branch of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It was created in 2001 during the 2001 Central Government Reform. It has a main office in Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo that works with the...
were engaged in the process of evaluating certain standards produced by the JEA and others for technical adequacy.
There have been allegations that the JEA wields too much power in setting standards. Professor Katsuhiko Ishibashi
Katsuhiko Ishibashi
is a professor in the Research Center for Urban Safety and Security in the Graduate School of Science at Kobe University, Japan and a seismologist who has written extensively in the areas of seismicity and seismotectonics in and around the Japanese Islands...
, one of the seismologists
Seismology
Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth or through other planet-like bodies. The field also includes studies of earthquake effects, such as tsunamis as well as diverse seismic sources such as volcanic, tectonic, oceanic,...
on a Japanese government subcommittee that produced the 2006 Regulatory Guide for Reviewing Seismic Design of Nuclear Power Reactor Facilities claimed that the review process was 'unscientific' and the outcome rigged to suit the interests of the JEA, which had 11 of its committee members on the 19-member government subcommittee and that among other problems the guide was 'seriously flawed' as a consequence because it underestimated the design basis earthquake ground motion
Peak ground acceleration
Peak ground acceleration is a measure of earthquake acceleration on the ground and an important input parameter for earthquake engineering, also known as the design basis earthquake ground motion...
.
History
Between 1923 and January 1, 1965, the JEA was one of the bodies authorised to inspect electricity meterElectricity meter
An electricity meter or energy meter is a device that measures the amount of electric energy consumed by a residence, business, or an electrically powered device....
s, a function subsequently transferred to the Japan Electric Meters Inspection Corporation (JEMIC).
The Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories (JET) were founded as the Japan Electrical Testing Laboratories of Japan Electric Association in February 1963.
See also
- Electricity sector in JapanElectricity sector in JapanThe electric power industry in Japan covers the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy in Japan.- Consumption :In 2008, Japan consumed an average of 8507 kWh/person of electricity...
- Energy in Japan
- Nuclear power in JapanNuclear power in JapanNuclear energy was a national strategic priority in Japan, but there has been concern about the ability of Japan's nuclear plants to withstand seismic activity...