Japan Closer to Restarting
First Reactors Since Fukushima
Fukushima Nuclear Crisis
Magnetic Field Detector
TOKYO (AP) — Japan is setting
stricter, clearer safety guidelines for nuclear power plants
to ease public concern about restarting reactors idled after
the disasters a year ago.
Facing a national power
crunch, the government is anxious to restart two reactors in
Fukui, western Japan, before the last operating reactor of
the 54 in the country goes offline in May.
But the public strongly
opposes nuclear energy since the meltdowns at the
Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant, and local leaders are
reluctant to approve restarting any of the reactors.
The guidelines announced
Friday are more extensive than computer-simulated “stress
tests” designed to estimate how reactors would cope in the
event of a major earthquake and tsunami like what
overwhelmed Fukushima Dai-ichi last year. Unlike in France
and other countries where stress tests are meant to find
weaknesses or suspend a facility, Japan tried to use them as
a safety guarantee. Many people questioned the objectivity
of the tests, though two reactors passed them.
If utilities meet the new
guidelines, authorities hope the public will be convinced
the reactors are safe, including the two in Ohi, Fukui
prefecture, that have finished regular safety checks and the
stress tests and are ready to restart.
Economy and Trade Minister
Yukio Edano called the guidelines “easy to understand”
criteria that aim to set higher standards for natural
disasters, but do not factor in terrorist attacks, airplane
accidents and other emergencies.
The guidelines, based on 30
recommendations adopted last month by the Nuclear and
Industrial Safety Agency, require nuclear power plants to
install filtered vents that could reduce radiation leaks in
case of an accident, as well as a device to prevent hydrogen
explosions. About 13 of the recommendations the most crucial
measures needed to secure cooling functions and prevent
meltdowns as in Fukushima were implemented, but the rest
were not. The guidelines did not set deadlines for the steps
to be finished.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu
Fujimura said the government can order utilities to restart
reactors regardless of local opposition, because obtaining
residents’ consent is not legally required.
The officials will make a
final decision based on NISA’s evaluation and the reactors’
operator Kansai Electric Power Co.’s safety implementation
plans.
Critics and officials in
cities and towns near Fukui are requesting explanations for
the hastily-published guidelines.
“Why rush? It’s too soon to
decide. I think they should gain understanding from the
public first,” said Yukiko Kada, governor of Shiga
prefecture bordering Fukui.
Toru Hashimoto, the outspoken
mayor of Osaka a top shareholder of Kansai Electric
criticized the government for compiling the new guideline
just in two days.
All but one of Japan’s 54
reactors have been shut down for inspections, required every
13 months. None have been restarted since the March 11,
2011, tsunami set off meltdowns in three reactors at the
Fukushima Dai-ichi plant.
The nation’s last operational
reactor, on the northern island of Hokkaido, goes off line
in early May. If none of the reactors are restarted, Japan
could face power shortages this summer. Before the crisis,
Japan depended on nuclear power for one-third of its
electricity.
To make up for the shortfall,
Japan has expanded production at conventional gas- and
oil-fired plants. Noda has promised to reduce Japan’s
reliance on nuclear power over time and plans to lay out a
new energy policy by the summer, but his government faces
pressure from big businesses to quickly get reactors back on
line and maintain nuclear power to keep the economy afloat.
Fukui, home to 13 reactors
clustered in four complexes along the Sea of Japan coast, is
called Japan’s nuclear alley.
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