What about the NRA?

May 4, 2013

Japan considers new body to boost nuclear safety

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20130504_15.html

Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi says Japan will consider setting up a new organization involving power companies to increase nuclear safety.

Motegi made a speech on Japan's energy policy at a think tank in Washington on Friday.

He said the government will establish a new organization to allow power companies to examine the safety of nuclear power plants and come up with measures to deal with problems.

Currently, the Nuclear Regulation Authority oversees the country's nuclear plants.

Motegi said following the nuclear accident in 2011, Japan has depended on imports for around 90 percent of its energy, which he calls unsustainable.

He said the government will review the energy policy of the previous government, which had the goal of shutting down all nuclear power plants in the 2030s.

Motegi reiterated the government's plan to allow the restart of nuclear plants whose safety has been verified by the Nuclear Regulation Authority.