The Lower House of Japan's Diet has begun deliberating on legislation that would allow nuclear power plants to operate beyond their current 60-year limit.

Lawmakers on Thursday started to examine the legislation to revise parts of laws including those governing the power industry and regulations on nuclear reactors.

Under the revision, nuclear power plants can remain operational beyond the 60-year cap, excluding the time spent to undergo inspections and testing.

The revision calls for equipment and devices to be inspected for deterioration every 10 years or less, once a plant has been operating for 30 years.

It says management plans should then be drawn up and approved by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, or NRA.

In the Lower House plenary session, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio stressed the significance of the legislation.

He said it is important to secure all options including renewable energy and nuclear power to build a stable power supply system in the situation that could be described as the first global energy crisis in history following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The prime minister was asked about a possibility that effective extension of operation of nuclear power plants could increase the risk of an accident. Kishida pointed out that power plants will be subject to frequent and more rigorous inspections.

He said operations will never be allowed unless the NRA, which is a highly independent organization, confirms that power plants meet the regulatory requirements.

Intense debate is expected as political parties are divided over the legislation for such themes as how to secure the safety of nuclear power plants.