Japan PM Orders Restart Of Two Nuclear Reactors

AsianScientist (Jun. 18, 2012) – Despite public opposition, Japan on Saturday gave the green light for the resumption of nuclear power operations at the Oi unit operated by the Kansai Electric Power Company, according to the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on Saturday presided over by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiko Noda. As the news of the announcement spread, protesters rallied outside the PM’s residence in Tokyo to oppose the decision.

But, on Friday – a day before his announcement – Noda said that Japan should aim to reduce its reliance on nuclear power as much as possible during the medium and long term, says Asahi Shimbun.

This is despite the fact that Japan currently depends upon nuclear energy for about one-third of electricity supply.

Following Saturday’s declaration, Kansai Electric Power Company announced that it was ready to restart two reactors in the Fukui prefecture.

On May 5, three reactors at the Tomari nuclear power plant suspended operations for 70 days for maintenance work. On that day Noda said that Oi reactors were safe to restart.

Of the nearly 50 nuclear power plants in Japan, the Tomari unit operated by the Hokkaido Electric Power Company, located in northernmost Hokkaido was the only one functioning till May 5 after the Fukushima mishap on March 11, 2011.

The remaining 49 had since suspended operations post Fukushima to carry out maintenance checks.

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Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine.
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