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Japan's Mihama nuclear power operator mulling surveys for new plant NHK

A: Hey there! Guess what? Something's up with Mihama Nuclear Power Plant, right?
B: Not sure, fill me in buddy!

A: Well, they might start surveying for a new plant there! It'd be the first since Fukushima Daiichi accident.
B: Whoa, really? I thought we were done with that...

A: They started surveys back in 2010, but stopped after Fukushima. Now they might announce a resumption soon.
B: Seems like they're considering building a new one, huh?

A: Exactly! But don't get too excited yet, nothing's official yet.
B: Makes sense... I remember they scrapped the No.1 and No.2 reactors at Mihama.

A: Yup, that's right. And here's something interesting - the government now wants to maximize nuclear power use.
B: Wait a sec, we were against increasing plants, right?

A: That was the plan, but the energy strategy from February promotes next-gen reactors within decommissioned plant sites.
B: Hmm... So they're looking to develop new reactors even at old plant locations?

A: Exactly! Crazy world we live in, isn't it? But hey, that's the news for now!
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The operator of the Mihama nuclear power plant on the Sea of Japan coast is considering resuming geological surveys for the construction of a new plant. If realized, a new reactor would be the first of its kind in Japan since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident.



Kansai Electric Power Company began conducting such surveys on the plant's premises in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, in 2010. But the work was suspended after the 2011 accident at the Fukushima plant.



Sources say the operator is planning to make an announcement soon about the resumption and explain it to prefectural and other authorities.



The company says it is about time to consider building a new plant, but that nothing has been decided at this point.



The Mihama plant scrapped its No.1 and No.2 nuclear reactors.



The Japanese government had not planned to increase the number of nuclear power plants, but now seeks to maximize the use of nuclear power.



The country's basic energy plan laid out in February promotes the development of next-generation reactors within the sites of operators with nuclear plants set to be decommissioned.
Summary
Kansai Electric Power Company is planning to resume geological surveys for a new nuclear power plant at the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant site. If built, it would be Japan's first reactor since the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011. Surveys were initially conducted in 2010 but halted post-Fukushima.
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ID: f1120f06-ced1-40bf-8235-140a443de697

Category ID: nhk

URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250719_04/

Date: July 19, 2025

Created: 2025/07/20 07:01

Updated: 2025/12/08 03:18

Last Read: 2025/07/20 16:40