Three aging nuclear reactors in Fukui Prefecture operated by Kansai Electric Power Co. (Kepco) were given final approval for a two-decade extension Wednesday, becoming Japan’s first reactors more than 40 years old to clear all hurdles for an extended run.
“After fully considering the situation, I decided to agree to the restart,” Fukui Gov. Tatsuji Sugimoto said at a Wednesday morning news conference.
The utility is now discussing the exact schedule for bringing the reactors back online, but media reports the same day suggested it could be within two months.