A geological fault running directly beneath a nuclear reactor at Hokuriku Electric Power Co.'s Shika power plant may be active, a panel of geological experts under the Nuclear Regulation Authority said Thursday.
If the nuclear watchdog finalizes the conclusion, the utility will be unable to restart the unit, the No. 1 reactor at the plant in Ishikawa Prefecture. The facility, which stands on the Sea of Japan coast, is currently idle.
The power company rejected the finding. It has said its data shows the fault is inactive.