Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Japan (Ratification: 1973)

I. The Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's report concerning the amendments made in 1988 to the Ordinance on Prevention of Ionising Radiation Hazards and the Ordinance on Mariners Prevention of Ionising Radiation Hazards to take into account the recommendations made by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in Publication No. 26 of 1977. In this regard, the Committee would call the Government's attention to its General Observation under this Convention which sets forth, inter alia, the revised exposure limits established by the International Commission on Radiological Protection on the basis of new physiological findings in its 1990 Recommendations (Publication No. 60). The Committee would recall that, under Article 3, paragraph 1 and Article 6, paragraph 2 of the Convention, all appropriate steps shall be taken to ensure effective protection of workers against ionising radiations and to review maximum permissible doses of ionising radiations in the light of current knowledge. The Government is requested to indicate the steps taken or being considered in relation to the matters raised in the conclusions to the General Observation.

II. The Committee notes with interest the information supplied in the Government's report in reply to its General Observation of 1987 concerning measures to be taken in abnormal situations. It notes the Government's indication that, in planned special exposures, the permissible dose limits are set at 100 mSv (10 rems) per year. In this regard, the Committee would call the Government's attention to paragraphs 16 to 27 of its General Observation under this Convention. It requests the Government to indicate, in its next report, the steps taken in relation to the matters raised in the conclusions to the General Observation, particularly as concerns paragraph 35(c).