CRINES Director Prof. H. Sekimoto traveled to Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, in September 2006 at the invitation of the National University of Mongolia (NUM). He arrived in Ulaanbaatar on September 9, with Mr. Kazuo Uoi. Mr. Uoi is the director of Kadokawa Research Institute and Knight Class 1 of the Kingdom of Norway, and is supporting CRINES’ Mongolian Program. On the next day, the Vice President of NUM, Prof. Suren Davaa escorted them on a tour of the city and its surroundings. Nuclear power is being considered for resolving the problem of smog in Ulaanbaatar, as the use of coal for winter heating creates terrible conditions. Prof. Sekimoto recommended a district heating system addressing this issue as the first step of nuclear energy utilization in Mongolia.

On the morning of September 11, Prof. Sekimoto and Mr. Uoi met the President of NUM; in the afternoon, they met several members of the State Great Hural in the Government Palace. After these meetings, Prof. Sekimoto gave a lecture on small reactors at the auditorium in NUM.

In the morning of September 12, they met the Prime Minister Mr. Miyegombo Enkhbold and the Minister of Education, Culture and Science (Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission), Mr. Ulziisaikhan Enkhtuvshin. The Prime Minister mentioned energy and smog problems and his expectations of nuclear energy for solving them. Prof. Sekimoto mentioned the necessity of establishing regulations and systems for promoting nuclear programs, and importance of education and cultivation of required personnel. The Prime Minister showed a strong interest in these topics, and requested the support of Tokyo Tech for the nuclear program promoted by NUM. In the afternoon, Prof. Sekimoto and Mr. Uoi visited the Nuclear Research Centre in NUM.

The city of Ulaanbaatar covered by smog (from top of a small hill in the south of the city)

On October 24, 2006, the CRINES Debriefing Session − Report on the Visit to the Mongolian National Government and the National University of Mongolia – was held at Ferrite Memorial Hall in the Tokyo Tech Centennial Hall. Prof. Sekimoto and Mr. Uoi gave presentations. Mr. Rentsendoo Jigjid, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Mongolia, greeted the guests and described the strong interest of the Mongolian authorities in strengthening ties with Japan with the goals of developing nuclear power plants and educating Mongolian citizens. He expressed hope that the countries will deepen their cooperation.

Japanese article in:              Genshiryoku Eye (January 2007)
Mongolian article in:            Mongol Messenger, Friday, February 16, 2007; "Mongolia to Go Nuclear", http://www.mongolmessenger.mn/issue/060937.php