Sendai safety measures presented to media

July 8, 2014

Safety measures at Sendai plant shown to media

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140708_33.html 

Kyushu Electric Power Company has invited the media to observe the safety measures at a nuclear plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

The Sendai plant is preparing to meet the tougher safety standards introduced last year after the Fukushima Daiichi accident caused by a huge earthquake and tsunami.

Journalists on Tuesday saw the 10-meter-high walls that have been built to protect the equipment for pumping up seawater to cool reactors in emergencies. They also viewed the 3-meter-high concrete breakwaters now under construction outside the protective walls.

Coolant tanks are covered with steel plates and concrete to prevent them from being hit by objects blown by strong winds or tornadoes. Fences are also being installed around the tanks.

The utility plans to complete the work by the end of the month.

A senior official of the company, Satoru Kojo said they will complete the tasks quickly so that the plant's operations can be resumed as soon as possible.

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority is expected to prepare a draft safety assessment report for the plant next week. Reactors have to meet the stricter safety standards before they can be restarted.

Jul. 8, 2014 - Updated 11:59 UT