Japan Press Weekly

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2011 June 15 - 21 [ENVIRONMENT]

Kaieda calls for restart of suspended nuclear reactors

Economy and Industry Minister Kaieda Banri on June 18 said he will call on local governments to approve resuming operations of nuclear reactors that are currently shut down, following ministry confirmation that they have taken countermeasures against severe accidents.

“A possible shortage of the electricity supply is a major issue for the economy. There is a gap between the electricity supply and demand in summertime. I hope local governments and citizens where nuclear power plants are located will understand the need to reactivate them”, said Kaieda.

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency on June 7 called on nuclear power plant operators to take measures to prevent accidents similar to the one that occurred in Fukushima. After holding on-site investigations, the NISA confirmed that the measures have been taken.

However, the operators have only taken very limited measures, such as moving backup power supply vehicles to a hill and installing equipment to make a valve on a reactor. A plan to build a 15-meter breakwater, suggested by one of the electric firms, will take several years to complete.

The Japanese Communist Party, in its proposal published on June 13, states that even if the “safety myth” of nuclear power generation is discredited and maximum measures are taken to minimize the risks of a nuclear accident, there cannot be a “safe” nuclear power plant and the probability of severe accidents occurring cannot be eradicated.