January 29, 2016

Governors criticize reactor restart

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20160130_08.html

Jan. 29, 2016 - Updated 22:24 UTC+1

The governors of two neighboring prefectures near the Takahama nuclear plant have expressed regret over Friday's reactor restart without their consent.

Kansai Electric Power Company restarted the plant in Fukui Prefecture. It was the third reactor in Japan to restart under new government regulations introduced after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.

Part of Shiga prefecture is within 30 kilometer radius of the plant. Governor Taizo Mikazuki said on Friday that he cannot approve the restart.

He said his prefecture has been insisting that an effective, in-depth protection plan for handling a nuclear crisis be established.

Mikazuki said his prefecture will strengthen its call for the government and the utility to implement more safety measures at the plant.

Kyoto Governor Keiji Yamada told reporters that part of his prefecture is located within a radius of 5 kilometers of the nuclear station. He said it's regrettable that his prefecture was excluded from the approval process for the plant's restart.

In the prefecture hosting the plant, Fukui Governor Issei Nishikawa urged the government to do more to explain to residents the importance and necessity of nuclear power generation.

Nishikawa said the operator needs to disclose more information, and that his prefecture will enhance monitoring of the plant to ensure the safety of its residents.