Japan: 2 Nuclear Reactors Operating, 10 More To Restart Soon
Channel: onthewaytoextinction
Date: 2013-07-08

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

NUCLEAR AUTHORITY ALLOWS 2 REACTORS TO STAY ONLINE
  
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has approved the safety of the only 2 nuclear reactors currently operating in the country.

 NRA officials say the Number 3 and 4 reactors at the Ohi nuclear power plant will remain online until their next regular maintenance check in September.

 NRA members at a meeting on Wednesday approved a report stating the Ohi plant on the Sea of Japan coast poses no immediate threat to safety.

 The report is based on the regulator's inspections under the new safety requirements due to take effect next Monday.

 NRA Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said the 2 reactors are much safer now, thanks to additional measures taken by the operator, Kansai Electric Power Company.

 The Kansai utility is now aiming for approval to operate the reactors after the next maintenance check.

 But one member of the Nuclear Regulation Authority says the utility's conduct and safety awareness is still lacking.

Jul. 3, 2013 - Updated 05:35 UTC

4 POWER COMPANIES TO APPLY FOR REACTOR SCREENING

Updated nuclear safety guidelines will take effect on Monday in Japan.

 Four power companies seeking to restart some of their reactors plan to file applications with the Nuclear Regulatory Authority on the same day.

 The new guidelines will legally oblige plant operators to take measures to prevent severe accidents like the one that occurred at Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi plant in 2011.

 The new guidelines will also require operators to assume higher tsunami and more powerful earthquakes than under the current rules.

 All of Japan's nuclear power plants were halted after the accident in Fukushima, and only one has been restarted.

 The plants must conform to the new guidelines to be brought back online.

 Four utilities are to make applications on Monday to restart 10 reactors at 5 power plants: Hokkaido Electric Power Company's Tomari plant, Kansai Electric's Ohi and Takahama plants, Shikoku Electric's Ikata plant and Kyushu Electric's Sendai plant.

 All these facilities have pressurized water reactors. They are different from the boiling water reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, and have been in operation for less than 30 years.

 Tokyo Electric Power Company is facing opposition from the government of Niigata Prefecture over its plan to file an application to resume operations at the Kashiwazaki-kariwa plant.

 The reactors are the same type as the ones at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

 Eighty NRA employees, grouped into 3 teams, will process the applications.

 NRA officials say it will take at least 6 months to process an application for one plant.

 Operators must also gain approval from local communities to restart the reactors.

Jul. 7, 2013 - Updated 15:19 UTC

MOTHERS STAGE ANTI-NUCLEAR RALLY IN TOKYO

Hundreds of mothers staged an anti-nuclear rally in Tokyo on Sunday, one day before power firms apply to restart 5 nuclear plants under new safety standards.

 The organizer said about 500 women gathered in front of the prime minister's office.

 They included residents of Fukushima Prefecture and women who have lived in temporary housing since the Fukushima nuclear accident 2 years ago.

 A mother of 5 said she doesn't want to see another nuclear accident like the one in Fukushima Prefecture. She urged the demonstrators to work together to protect their children's future.

 Another woman said she cannot understand why the operators want to restart the plants so quickly when she has to bring up her children amid the fear of exposure to radiation from the Fukushima plant.

 She said she will continue to campaign against nuclear power for her children's sake.

 About 20,000 anti-nuclear messages were collected from across the country for the rally. Japanese people traditionally celebrate the Star Festival on July 7th by writing down their wishes and hanging the paper strips from bamboo trees.

 The 4 utilities plan to submit applications on Monday for permission to restart 5 nuclear plants.

Jul. 7, 2013 - Updated 15:19 UTC