Miyazu: "We can in no way accept it"

December 10, 2015

Miyazu mayor in Kyoto Pref. opposes restart of Takahama nuclear reactors

http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20151210/p2a/00m/0na/016000c

KYOTO -- Miyazu Mayor Shoji Inoue in Kyoto Prefecture has voiced his opposition to the planned reactivation of the No. 3 and 4 reactors at the Takahama Nuclear Power Plant in the Fukui Prefecture town of Takahama.

"In the present circumstances, we can in no way accept it," Inoue told the city assembly on Dec. 8. Miyazu city is not granted the right to say "yes" or "no" to any plan to restart the Takahama nuclear plant although it is located within 30 kilometers from the atomic complex. It is the first time for a local chief executive of such a municipality to declare their opposition to reactivating the reactors.

Asked by a city assembly member about his view on the planned reactivation of the Takahama reactors during a question-and-answer session, Inoue said, "In light of the intentions of the city assembly and citizens, we can in no way accept it."

There are three prefectures and 12 municipalities that are located within 30 kilometers from the Takahama plant, and most of Miyazu city falls within the 30-kilometer zone. Plant operator Kansai Electric Power Co., however, singled out the Fukui Prefecture town of Tahakama that hosts the nuclear plant and Fukui Prefecture as the only local bodies that can agree or disagree to reactivation of the Takahama reactors.