OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OFACCELERA TOR-DRIVEN SYSTEM IN JAPAN FORTRANSMUTATION OF LONG-LIVED NUCLIDES. Active and comprehensive studies on an accelerator-driven subcritical system (ADS) fortransmutation of long-lived nuclides have been carried out at the Japan Atomic Energy ResearchInstitute (JAERI). In the late 1970's. JAERI started the basic study ofthi.t .tubject and later.comprehensive sllldies have been performed under the "OMEGA"program of Japan: the long-terlllprogram for research and development on partitioning and transmutation (P&T) technology.Based on a design study of a dedicated transmutation system. JAERI decided to concen/rate itsefforts for transmutation study on the development of ADS. The construction of an experimentalfacility for the ADS development was proposed as a part of the Neutron Science Project of JAERI.which aimed at the construction of the world most powerful spallation neutron source. Since 1998.JAERI and the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) are join/ly proposing aHigh-Intensity Proton Accelerator Project. An ADS experimental facility composed of asubcritical assembly and a liquid lead-bismuth targetleoolant engineering facility will beconstructed under this project. In this paper, the development of ADS at JAERI, together withrelated technologies of P&T, both under the OMEGA program and thejoint proposal, is reviewed.Other activities on ADS study in Japan are also reviewed. @ 2001 published by Elsevier ScienceLid. All rights reserved. Takehiko MUKAIY AMA,Takakazu TAKIZUKA, Motoharu MIZUMOTO, YujiroIKEDA,Toru OGAWA, Akira HASEGAWA, Hiroshi TAKADA and HidekiTAKANOTOKAI RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT, JAPAN ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE.Tokai-mura, Ibaraki-ken 319-1195, lAP AN
