Tokyo, November 27 (QNA) – Japan is considering building new nuclear reactors, to enhance energy security in the medium to long term as a shift from the government’s current policy of freezing construction of new reactors or replacing existing reactors with new ones; a policy that has been in place since the nuclear disaster in March 2011, at the Fukushima Daiichi plant that was badly damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
The Japanese Ministry of Industry has prepared a draft project on the development of the next generation of the nuclear energy system which will see the modernization of existing reactors.
The government had indicated last August that it would submit a draft in which the government would propose that it would move forward with achieving the plan to rebuild the nuclear reactors, which was decided to be dismantled.
The government will also seek to extend the service life of existing reactors. The reactors are currently allowed to operate for up to 60 years, and the government hopes to extend the cap to cover the period when the reactor is idle due to inspections by the nuclear regulator or as a result of a court order.
With regard to restarting operating reactors, the government plans to take the lead in winning the support of people living near power stations and forming a new team, to help draw up evacuation plans.
(QNA)