Japan moved a step closer to restart nuclear reactor Monday four utility companies applied for safety inspections of 10 idle plant, Fukushima disaster, nearly two and a half's time, atomic energy return to the most obvious sign.
All but two countries 50 reactors offline tsunami Fukushima Daiichi plant in March 2011, Japan has been almost nothing, once the nuclear power provides about one third of the electrical energy.
Four Japanese nuclear power plant operators - Supply of Hokkaido, Kansai, Shikoku and Kyushu regions - Monday just entered into force, according to the new security requirements, in five factories, 10 reactors Nuclear Regulatory Authority to apply checks. The application of the two reactors are expected later in the week.
Only reactors, through strict rules will be allowed to restart, probably early next year. Check takes about six months, each reactor, the watchdog said that its staff can handle several reactors once. Obtain the consent of local governments and communities need at least a few weeks
Watchdog officials refused to disclose their first checks of the reactor. Critics say there are loopholes in the rules, including a grace period of some security equipment
Hit soaring costs of oil and gas to run conventional power plants to compensate for the shortage of energy, the Japanese utility companies have been lobbying hard to get their reactor back online.
Almost all of the undertakings, their nuclear power plants reported huge losses last fiscal year, higher fuel costs due to imports. Hokkaido Electric Power Company says it has hit the 600 million yen (approximately $ 6,000,000) to make up for three additional daily fuel cost of idle reactors. Nuclear operators have demanded hike or plan to do so.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe since he took office in December, pushing the government to restart before freezing nuclear phase-out plans. Resumption of nuclear power plants are in the parliamentary elections within two weeks of his part of the ruling party's election platform.
The first of the new rules need to guard against radiation leak serious accident cases, installing emergency command center, and to develop counter-terrorism measures plants. Operators need to upgrade protection tsunamis and earthquakes, as well as tornadoes and aviation accidents.
Security leaving operators, relying on its own interests as an incentive to implement appropriate measures to protect their investment. Tokyo Electric Power Company come under fire for underestimating the risk of a tsunami, and the construction of seawall is less than half the height of the wave hit the Fukushima Daiichi plant, and caused many crashes and massive radiation leak. Approximately 160,000 evacuees still can not go home.
Yu Sen, the Kansai Electric Power Company, is applying for four nuclear reactors to restart Fukui Prefecture, western Japan supply in most areas, said the company has taken emergency measures and additional steps because senior officials of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
"We are ready," said Sen handed a thick file of documents, the watchdog officials in the media packaging ceremonial activities.
Dozens of activists held a rally against nuclear power outside the building, inside the watchdog's office, holding banners and chanting anti-nuclear slogans.
Critics say the new security requirements there are loopholes to make things easier for operators, including a grace period of five years, some of the provisions referred to PWR reactors steps. They are considered less likely to suffer the ravages of the pressure build-up like Fukushima has a larger than containment chamber. This means that half of the 48 reactors can be operated using pressurized water system does not function up to five years.
Inspect all 10 reactors are pressurized water reactors, they have not completed filtered ventilation and comprehensive emergency command center, according to documents released on Monday a summary of their applications.
Approved, aimed at restoring the reactor operation, even though the lag nearby communities to develop the necessary emergency evacuation procedures, and restart, will lead to more nuclear waste, plutonium stocks and other safety and environmental risks, Thammasat University, led by sociologist Harutoshi A group of experts Funabashi.
Critics say the operation of nuclear power plants will eventually become an economic burden, because according to the new requirements added safety upgrades and aging reactor decommissioning and waste disposal costs. Even the initial security upgrade is estimated more than 1 trillion yen (about $ 1 billion) combined.
Carrier said that this is a necessary investment.
"Although consumption, we need to get nuclear power plant operation in order to provide a stable supply of electricity, operating six reactors in southern Japan's Kyushu Electric Power Company's vice president, said:" Toru Yoshisako.
 



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