Japan Press Weekly

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2016 June 22 - 28 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Personal rights should come before profit

The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) on June 20 gave the green light for the Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) to continue to use two aging reactors at the Takahama Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture beyond the conventional set limit of 40 years.

The Takahama No. 1 and No.2 reactors, both already in use for more than 40 years, will be the first to be allowed to prolong their operating lifespans since the 40-year-limit was loosened. These reactors will be allowed to operate for another 20 years.

The Abe government is expecting nuclear energy to generate 20%-22% of electrical power by 2030. Probably in line with this government projection, the NRA gave the green light to the extension of the duration of aging reactors’ operations.

On the other hand, many other aging reactors are being decommissioned. Yet, KEPCO sought to extend the two reactors’ operation periods. This is because, according to media reports, KEPCO calculates that operating expenses for another 20 years will be cost effective considering the Takahama reactors’ relatively high output even if the utility has to pay a large sum of additional costs for safety measures.

Back in 2014, regarding the Oi Nuclear Power Plant operated by KEPCO in Fukui, the Fukui District Court ordered the suspension of the plant operations by pointing out that personal rights come before pursuit of economic profits in light of the Constitution.

Life-, physical-, mental- and livelihood-related benefits are irreplaceable. The court ruling found that nuclear power generation increases the risk for the encroachment of personal rights.

Past related articles:
> NRA declares aged reactors at Takahama NPP meet safety standards [April 21, 2016]
> District court issues order stopping operations of Takahama NPP [March 10, 2016]
> Court orders KEPCO not to reactivate Oi NPP [May 22, 2014]