Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has discussed problems that occurred at a nuclear power plant after it was hit by the devastating January 1 earthquake.

The authority called for studying whether it is necessary to review anti-quake measures of the Shika nuclear power plant in Ishikawa Prefecture and other plants.

The quake hit Shika Town on the Sea of Japan coast, home of the nuclear power plant. The quake in the town registered 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, the highest level possible.

The quake damaged the piping of transformers used to supply power from outside to the plant's two reactors, resulting in the leaking of oil for insulation and cooling. Part of the power supply system remains unusable.

The plant's operator Hokuriku Electric Power said the plant has used other means to supply power to critical equipment, such as those used to cool the spent nuclear fuel pools.

NRA members expressed their views at a meeting held on Wednesday.

One member noted that potential damage to the surviving transformers from future aftershocks must be considered. The member added that the cause of the problems should be clarified, while efforts to get damaged equipment functioning again should be expedited.

Another member said cases where power cannot be supplied due to malfunctioning inside the plant have not been considered. The person called for studying whether relevant measures should be tightened or not.

The NRA secretariat plans to accelerate the restoration of damaged transformers and identify the cause of the problems. It also intends to study whether to review anti-quake measures.

Both the No.1 and No.2 reactors at the plant were taken offline long before the quake.