STATUS OF PHYSICAL PROTECTION IN JAPAN

Problem of physical protection of nuclear materials started to attract attention of the nuclear circde in Japan around 197^. This was stimulated by the development of physical protection systems abroad, particularly in the United States. In 19?4 the book called \"Nuclear Theft: its Risks and Safeguards\" was published in the United States and warned the spread of information all over the world on how to make nuclear weapons. The book also criticized the weakness of international safeguards based on material accounting and urged strengthening physical protection measures at nuclear facilities. At the same time internationally organized terrorists groups became active in the middle of 1970's. Such an international situation aroused the interests of those who were concerned with nuclear energy as to how to protect nuclear materials in Japan.