Science and Technology Agency chief Tadamori Oshima will visit Fukui Prefecture on Nov. 26 as a step toward resuming operations at a controversial fast-breeder nuclear reactor that was shut down following an accident in 1995, local government sources said Saturday.
Fukui Gov. Yukio Kurita is reported to be interested in restarting Monju -- Japan's only prototype fast-breeder nuclear reactor -- on condition that it is included in a long-term nuclear research and development plan for Japan.
Kurita has stressed the vital role that fast-breeder reactors could play in Japan's energy policy, the sources said.
The science agency is set to finalize its long-term plan on Monday. The plan is expected to reflect Fukui's desire to see Monju installed as the nucleus of research and development of future energy sources.