Uncertainty grew Tuesday over the timing of the possible restart of the idled Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture, as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano backed off from an earlier remark and the administration did not make any decision during a Cabinet meeting later in the day.
On Monday, Edano told the Diet he had safety concerns and was opposed to restarting the Oi plant's reactors 3 and 4, which have been stopped in the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
But on Tuesday, Edano said he will now refrain from discussing his view on whether to restart the reactors.