The Japan Electric Association (日本電気協会) (JEA) is a membership organisation for the electricity sector in Japan and, although it has roots dating back to 1892, was founded in October 1921.[1] It currently has around 4,800 corporate and individual members.[1]
The JCA has a number of committees that set national technical guidelines (JEAGs), codes (JEACs) and standards covering areas ranging from electrical safety to the design of nuclear power stations[2] some of which are regarded as optional 'independent standards of the private sectors' while others have official status as the 'standards of academic societies and associations'.[3]
Among its other work, the JCA promotes education, publishes a range of books and guides, and holds lectures, seminars and cultural events.[2] Since 1942 the ECA has published The Denki Shimbun (The Electric Daily News), founded in 1907 as the Electrical News.[4]
Through the work of its committees, the JCA prepares and publishes a number of codes and guides for the Japanese nuclear power industry, including the Rules of Quality Assurance for Safety of Nuclear Power Plants (JEAC 4111-2003) and the Guideline for Development and Design of Computerized Human-Machine Interface in the Central Control Room (JEAG 4617-2005), intended to meet the performance requirements specified under the Electricity Utilities Industry Law[3] As of 2007, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency were engaged in the process of evaluating certain standards produced by the JEA and others for technical adequacy.[3]
There have been allegations that the JEA wields too much power in setting standards. Professor Katsuhiko Ishibashi, one of the seismologists on a Japanese government subcommittee that produced the 2006 Regulatory Guide for Reviewing Seismic Design of Nuclear Power Reactor Facilities[5] claimed that the review process was 'unscientific'[6][7] and the outcome rigged[8][7] to suit the interests of the JEA, which had 11 of its committee members on the 19-member government subcommittee[8] and that among other problems the guide was 'seriously flawed' as a consequence because it underestimated the design basis earthquake ground motion.[9]
Between 1923 and January 1, 1965, the JEA was one of the bodies authorised to inspect electricity meters, a function subsequently transferred to the Japan Electric Meters Inspection Corporation (JEMIC).[10]
The Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories (JET) were founded as the Japan Electrical Testing Laboratories of Japan Electric Association in February 1963.[11]
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Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan Electric Association.
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