Japan local authorities approve restart of world's biggest nuclear plant
It’s a key step in the process to get it back up after the 2011 Fukushima disaster
[TOKYO] Japanese local authorities on Friday (Nov 21) approved the restart of the world’s biggest nuclear plant, a key step in the process to get it back up after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Hideyo Hanazumi, governor of Niigata province where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is located, told a news conference he “would approve” the resumption, which will need final permission by the country’s nuclear regulator.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant was taken off when Japan pulled the plug on nuclear power after a tsunami caused the 2011 meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
But the resource-poor country now wants to revive atomic energy and reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
A total of 14 reactors – mostly in western and southern regions – have already resumed operation after strict safety standards were imposed.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant will be the first restart for Fukushima operator Tepco after the disaster, once it gets final approval. AFP
Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
