Japan's nuclear watchdog has decided to lift an order that effectively bans the operation of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority issued the order in 2021 to the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, following a series of revelations about flaws in the plant's anti-terrorism measures.
The NRA decided to lift the order unanimously at a meeting on Wednesday. There, the NRA approved a draft report submitted earlier this month by its secretariat that stated a system for TEPCO to improve anti-terrorism measures on its own is now taking hold.
Prior to the decision the NRA had conducted an onsite inspection of the plant as well as an interview with the head of TEPCO.
The effective ban -- the first such order ever issued to a commercial nuclear plant operator -- had been in place for the past 32 months.
The two of the plant's reactors passed the NRA's screening, necessary for a restart, in 2017.
Following the lifting of the effective ban, TEPCO is now expected to resume work to put the plant back online.
Attention is now focused on whether TEPCO can win local consent to restart.
Local reactions to a resumption of operations are mixed. Some people have expressed hope it will revitalize the local economy, while others have safety concerns.
Niigata Governor Hanazumi Hideyo plans to discuss the matter and hear people's opinions.
He has hinted that one option would be to hold a gubernatorial election to confirm the opinions of local residents.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority issued the order in 2021 to the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, following a series of revelations about flaws in the plant's anti-terrorism measures.
The NRA decided to lift the order unanimously at a meeting on Wednesday. There, the NRA approved a draft report submitted earlier this month by its secretariat that stated a system for TEPCO to improve anti-terrorism measures on its own is now taking hold.
Prior to the decision the NRA had conducted an onsite inspection of the plant as well as an interview with the head of TEPCO.
The effective ban -- the first such order ever issued to a commercial nuclear plant operator -- had been in place for the past 32 months.
The two of the plant's reactors passed the NRA's screening, necessary for a restart, in 2017.
Following the lifting of the effective ban, TEPCO is now expected to resume work to put the plant back online.
Attention is now focused on whether TEPCO can win local consent to restart.
Local reactions to a resumption of operations are mixed. Some people have expressed hope it will revitalize the local economy, while others have safety concerns.
Niigata Governor Hanazumi Hideyo plans to discuss the matter and hear people's opinions.
He has hinted that one option would be to hold a gubernatorial election to confirm the opinions of local residents.
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Summary
Nuclear Regulation Authority in Japan lifts ban on Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, first such order ever. Lift comes after approval of TEPCO's self-improvement plan for anti-terrorism measures following inspections and interviews. Plant passed restart screening in 2017. Attention now turns to
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ID: 79bd2e5f-ad11-43dc-9ac9-6c27f98a2207
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231227_12/
Date: Dec. 27, 2023
Created: 2023/12/28 06:30
Updated: 2025/12/08 19:41
Last Read: 2023/12/28 20:37