Finally!

September 11, 2012

New nuclear watchdog launches Sep 19th

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120911_14.html

Japan's government decided on Tuesday to formally launch its new nuclear regulator on September 19th.
The creation of the nuclear watchdog comes more than 18 months after the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

The new nuclear regulatory commission will be largely independent of the government and replaces the current Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency. The agency was controlled by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which has promoted nuclear power, and was criticized for a lack of independence following the disaster.

The new commission will oversee a new nuclear regulatory agency consisting of some 500 personnel.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda plans to appoint the 5 members of the commission upon its launch.

Nuclear Crisis Minister Goshi Hosono said the people of Japan will strictly monitor the performance of the new nuclear watchdog.

He said he hopes the commission will work to win public understanding so that people will think nuclear regulation has changed for the better.