National Apr 28, 2021
Three aging reactors in Fukui Prefecture given OK for restart
by Eric Johnston
The prefecture's decision could set a precedent that leads to more aging reactors getting restarted instead of being scrapped.
National | ANALYSIS Apr 15, 2021
Tepco lapse a wake-up call for Japan's nuclear security protocols, expert says
by Osamu Tsukimori
The incident in Niigata is “of particular concern” because the potential security breaches lasted for months, a top expert in the field said.
National Apr 14, 2021
Tepco banned from restarting its largest nuclear plant over safety flaws
The company has seen restarting the seven-reactor Kashiwazaki-Kariwa complex, once one of the world's largest nuclear plants by output, as a main pillar of its business restructuring plan.
National Mar 24, 2021
Japan's regulator set to ban Tepco from restarting Niigata nuclear plant
The facility on the Sea of Japan coast was found to have serious safety flaws, having been vulnerable to unauthorized entry at 15 locations in March of last year.
National Feb 1, 2021
Mayor gives Japan's first approval for restart of reactors over 40 years old
by Eric Johnston
Takahama Mayor Yutaka Nose reached his decision after receiving assurances from the government that it would boost revitalization projects and the town's funding.
National Dec 18, 2020
Japanese government launches appeal over Oi nuclear plant restart
Local residents and others have claimed there are problems with earthquake resistance at the Fukui Prefecture plant.
National | FYI Dec 9, 2020
Oi ruling could signal trouble ahead for nuclear reactor restart plans
by Eric Johnston
An Osaka court has stunned the nuclear power industry with a ruling saying Kepco's calculations for standards involving earthquake safety were flawed.
National Dec 4, 2020
Japan court nullifies approval of Oi nuclear reactor's safety steps
It is the first time a court has blocked government approval for a power company to operate a nuclear plant under new, post-Fukushima safety standards.
National Nov 25, 2020
The town assembly of Takahama, Fukui Prefecture, on Wednesday greenlighted the restart of two old reactors at a local nuclear power plant. The approval was given at a meeting of all assembly members. Ten of the 13 members, excluding its chair, were in favor of ...
National / Social Issues | FYI Nov 18, 2020
As nuclear worries linger, Tohoku plant heads for landmark restart
by Eric Johnston
The restart, the first in the northeast, comes amidst controversial restarts in the country's west and debates over the energy source's role in a carbon neutral target.
National Nov 12, 2020
Tsunami-hit Onagawa reactor in northeast Japan gets final approval to restart
The No. 2 unit of the Onagawa plant is the first of the reactors damaged in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster to win final approval with local consent to restart.
National Oct 23, 2020
It is now highly likely that Miyagi Gov. Yoshihiro Murai will agree to resuming operation of the No. 2 reactor at the nuclear plant.