January 20, 2012
Since its announcement in December that the Fukushima nuclear crisis has been brought “under control,” the Noda Cabinet is accelerating its move towards resumption of operations of nuclear power reactors throughout Japan.
The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) on January 18 approved the safety assessment of two reactors at the Oi nuclear power plant conducted by Kansai Electric Power Co (KEPCO).
This is the NISA’s first evaluation of safety assessments carried out by 7 electric companies on 14 nuclear reactors.
Giving the green light to the reactivation of the two reactors, NISA faces strong criticism from those questioning its capability as the government’s nuclear watchdog agency since its blatant attempt to manipulate public opinion on nuclear energy was revealed last year.
Meanwhile, the government on January 17 adopted a plan to allow certain nuclear reactors to operate for up to 60 years in disregard of concern over the continued operations of aging nuclear reactors.
On the other hand, the government’s investigation committee on the nuclear accident is far from compiling its final report while the Diet just launched such an organ itself. Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, has failed to release information necessary to conduct a full investigation. The very cause of the accident is yet to be fully determined.
The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) on January 18 approved the safety assessment of two reactors at the Oi nuclear power plant conducted by Kansai Electric Power Co (KEPCO).
This is the NISA’s first evaluation of safety assessments carried out by 7 electric companies on 14 nuclear reactors.
Giving the green light to the reactivation of the two reactors, NISA faces strong criticism from those questioning its capability as the government’s nuclear watchdog agency since its blatant attempt to manipulate public opinion on nuclear energy was revealed last year.
Meanwhile, the government on January 17 adopted a plan to allow certain nuclear reactors to operate for up to 60 years in disregard of concern over the continued operations of aging nuclear reactors.
On the other hand, the government’s investigation committee on the nuclear accident is far from compiling its final report while the Diet just launched such an organ itself. Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, has failed to release information necessary to conduct a full investigation. The very cause of the accident is yet to be fully determined.
