Japan On The Brink Of Suicide: Pushing To Restart Nuclear Reactors at Sendai NPP
Channel: rumorecurioso
Date: 2014-03-13

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/  

SENDAI NUCLEAR PLANT SCREENING PRIORITIZED
  
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority says it will prioritize the safety screening process for the Sendai nuclear plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. The country's 48 commercial reactors, now off-line, have to pass the screening before they can be reactivated.

 Thursday's announcement means that the Number 1 and 2 reactors at the plant will likely be the first in Japan to clear the screening and resume commercial operation. Kyushu Electric Power Company is the operator of the units.

 The authority discussed whether procedures should be speeded up for any of the six plants in the advanced stages of the safety review. Ten nuclear plants in Japan are currently being screened.

 Prioritization requires confirmation of the maximum levels of tremors and tsunami expected from possible earthquakes.

 The chairman of the authority, Shunichi Tanaka, told a meeting on Wednesday that major safety issues have mostly been resolved.

 Authority officials expressed satisfaction with the Sendai plant operator's efforts.

 Authority chairman Tanaka declared that they will begin preparations to wrap up the screening process.

 The authority will report on the results of the safety review process, and give permission for a restart after listening to experts' views and holding public hearings in the prefecture.

 Kyushu Electric hopes to resume operation of the Sendai plant before demand for power surges in the summer.
 But the utility will still have to clear on-site inspections and persuade local residents.

Mar. 13, 2014 - Updated 03:09 UTC

ABE SIGNALS RETENTION OF NUCLEAR ENERGY FOR JAPAN
  
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has suggested his government will maintain nuclear energy although it will try to reduce the country's reliance on it as much as possible.

 Abe spoke at a Diet session on Monday on the eve of the 3rd anniversary of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami that triggered the Fukushima meltdowns.

 Abe referred to Japan's new basic energy plan drafted last month, which attaches importance to nuclear energy.
 He said at present he doesn't have the confidence to say no to the power source.

 He said he cannot compile an energy policy under the assumption that Japan will eliminate nuclear energy altogether.

 Abe also noted the need to win the understanding of local people when bringing commercial reactors back online once they are confirmed safe by the Nuclear Regulation Authority. He added that the regulators are applying the strictest safety standards in the world.

 On the subject of planned interim storage facilities for radioactive soil and debris in Fukushima Prefecture, Abe said he wants to dispel misunderstanding that the facilities would be used to store highly radioactive waste.

 Environment Minister Nobuteru Ishihara elaborated, saying radiation levels of debris stored for 30 years will without doubt become lower, and soil can be reused by mixing with ordinary soil.

Mar. 10, 2014 - Updated 11:54 UTC

ABE CABINET SUPPORT RATE DOWN TO 51%

An NHK poll shows that the support rate for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet has dropped to 51 percent, down 1 percentage point from the previous month. The disapproval rate was down 3 points to 30 percent.

 NHK conducted a telephone survey of 1,629 people aged 20 or older over the weekend. 63 percent responded.

 58 percent of the respondents approved or somewhat approved of the cabinet's economic policies, while 37 percent did not.

 Asked whether they feel the economy is on a recovery track, 15 percent said they do. 44 percent said they do not, and 38 percent were undecided.

 As for government efforts to rebuild areas affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, 38 percent gave the efforts a positive evaluation. 56 percent said the opposite.

 23 percent said reconstruction is progressing, while 72 percent said they see little or no progress.

 The poll also asked about a government plan to allow nuclear power plants to resume operations after the Nuclear Regulation Authority confirms their safety.

 21 percent said they support the plan, while 37 percent said they are against it. 38 percent were undecided.

 Asked about discussions on Japan's right to exercise its right to collective self-defense, 65 percent said they are interested in the debate. 29 percent said they are not.

 As for Abe's willingness to change the interpretation of the Constitution to allow Japan to exercise the right, 17 percent said they are for the move. 33 percent said they are against it, and 43 percent were undecided.

Mar. 10, 2014 - Updated 13:11 UTC