Takahama open to media

December 16, 2014

Reactor special inspection shown to media

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html

Dec. 16, 2014 - Updated 11:32 UTC+1

Kansai Electric Power Company has shown to media special inspection procedures aimed at restarting 2 aging nuclear reactors at its plant in central Japan.

Last year, Japan's government limited the operational lifespan of nuclear reactors to 40 years in principle.

Operators must decide whether to decommission their aging reactors or apply for permission to extend their lifespans. Such permission requires special inspections to assess in detail the extent of reactor deterioration.

Kansai Electric has been conducting special inspections since December 1st on the No.1 and 2 reactors at the Takahama nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture.

On Tuesday, journalists were allowed to watch workers remotely control an ultrasonic device in a reactor to examine the interior.

Workers are also checking the inner coating of the reactor containment vessel.

Kansai Electric plans to report the results of the inspection to the Nuclear Regulation Authority by July next year, the deadline for extension application.

In Japan, 7 nuclear reactors, including the 2 at the Takahama plant, have been in operation for about 40 years.