The Nuclear Regulation Authority on Wednesday postponed a decision on whether to approve decommissioning plans for five old reactors, raising questions about whether deadlines for scrapping the units can be met.

The NRA is expected to eventually green-light the decommissioning plans, but will for now continue discussions with four operators for plants in Saga, Shimane, and Fukui prefectures.

It is unclear how long it will take until final approval is granted.