## Japan Atomic Energy Agency Seeks to Expand Joyo Reactor's Role to Include Medical Radioisotope Production
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has submitted a request to the Nuclear Regulation Authority to broaden the scope of the Joyo experimental fast reactor in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture. The agency now aims to include the production of medical radioisotopes as one of the reactor's primary goals.
JAEA holds high hopes for actinium-225, a radioactive substance with potential as a cancer treatment drug. The agency envisions a therapy where a drug containing actinium-225 is injected into a patient's body to target and eliminate cancer cells.
This approach to actinium-225 production using a fast reactor is relatively unique worldwide. JAEA officials are optimistic about manufacturing the radioisotope by the end of fiscal year 2026.
To further this endeavor, JAEA and the National Cancer Center Japan signed a collaboration agreement in February 2023 for research and development of cancer therapy using actinium-225.
While clinical trials for this radiation therapy are ongoing in various countries, the limited global supply of actinium-225 restricts treatment access to approximately 3,000 patients annually.
The Joyo reactor, initially designed for developing a plutonium-fueled fast reactor, commenced operation in 1977 but has been offline since 2007 due to equipment issues. JAEA aims to reactivate the reactor around the middle of fiscal year 2026 and is currently working on obtaining the necessary approvals from Ibaraki Prefecture and the town of Oarai.