Japan Wins Scientists’ Panel Nod to Restart Atomic Reactors
Kansai
Electric Power Co.'s Ohi nuclear power station is seen behind Japan's
national flag displayed on a fishing boat in Ohi Town, Fukui
Prefecture, Japan. Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg
A
panel of Japanese scientists reported that two nuclear reactors idled
for safety checks are safe to operate, giving Prime Minister Yoshihiko
Noda the approval he needs to re-start the units.
After a meeting
late Sunday that was moved to a new venue after anti-nuclear protests,
the 12-member panel appointed by the governor of Fukui prefecture, where
Kansai Electric Power Co. (9503)’s Ohi nuclear plant is located,
released a document stating the plant can be operated safely. “It has been evaluated that safety measures are satisfactory for ensuring reactor security even in the event of an earthquake and tsunami that must be anticipated based on the lessons learned from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear accident,” the panel said.
Noda, backed by businesses including Komatsu Ltd. (6301) and NEC Corp. (6701), said June 8 the nation needs to resume nuclear power generation to avoid blackouts and preserve quality of life. Polls show 70 percent of Japanese oppose atomic energy.
The science panel was appointed by Fukui Governor Issei Nishikawa to provide an extra measure of safety checks after last year’s disaster at Tokyo Electric Power Co. (9501)’s Fukushima plant in the northeast undermined support for atomic power. Radiation leaks prompted the evacuation of as many as 160,000 people.
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