Energy

Japan to Study Imports of Kazakh Uranium through Siberia

Friday, July 23, 2010

Kazakh Uranium

Tokyo -- The Japan-Kazakhstan partnership on uranium resources appears to be taking a new turn.

Several reports indicate that a major six-month study will be launched by METI in August to consider the feasibility of shipping Kazakh uranium east through Siberia and ports near Vladivostok, with enrichment taking place in Russia.

Currently, Kazakh uranium bound for Japan is shipped through St. Petersburg and then enriched in the United States, Canada, and France.

Marubeni, Sumitomo, and TEPCO currently have major investments in Kazakh uranium.

METI has encouraged and supported these investments with an eye to reducing dependence on Canada and Australia.

Kazakhstan is thought to possess the world's second-largest reserves of uranium, and was the source of 14% of Japan's uranium imports as of 2008.

METI hopes that the Siberian route will reduce the overall expense of the uranium supply, as well as enhance Japan's energy security.


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