The Abe government is aiming to restart a nuclear reactor by around June, following a lengthy and politically sensitive approval process made difficult by the Fukushima disaster, sources familiar with the plans said.
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been pushing to bring some of the country's reactors back online after all 48 closed following the triple meltdown at Tepco's Fukushima No. 1 plant in March 2011, arguing they are key to economic growth.
A reboot would boost the nation's utilities, which have been hit by huge losses as they switch back to fossil fuels and race to upgrade nuclear plants, with two turning to the government for bailouts.