information about Fukushima published in English in Japanese media info publiée en anglais dans la presse japonaise
2 Décembre 2015
December 2, 2015
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html
Dec. 2, 2015 - Updated 03:34 UTC+1
The mayor of Takahama Town in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast has decided to agree to the restarts of 2 nuclear reactors at a power plant in his town.
In February, the numbers 3 and 4 reactors at the Takahama nuclear plant met the requirements introduced by the Nuclear Regulation Authority after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident.
The operator, Kansai Electric Power Company, has sought agreements from the host municipality and prefecture for the restarts. The company hopes to have the reactors back online early next year.
Takahama Mayor Yutaka Nose is expected to officially announce his decision on Thursday. He said that what he believes to be the conditions for the restarts have now been met.
One of the conditions is the securing of public understanding of the need for nuclear power plants. He said he confirmed at a meeting with the industry minister last month that the government will take responsibility for this.
Mayor Nose referred to how to effectively evacuate residents beyond administrative boundaries in the case of a nuclear accident. He said the evacuation issue will also be taken up at a meeting hosted by the Cabinet Office.
The Takahama town assembly has already agreed to the restarts, but the Fukui prefectural assembly and the Fukui governor have yet to reveal their intentions.
Meanwhile, the reactors cannot be restarted until a provisional court injunction is lifted. The Fukui District Court issued the injunction in April.