nuclear-news

Effect of Japan’s move to restart nuclear power will ripple globally

Nuclear energy costs still rising, three years on from Fukushima, SMH,  11 Mar 14 “…..,.How Japan proceeds on nuclear will ripple beyond its own borders with nations in Europe and beyond wavering over whether to purse atomic power, Wade Allison, a physics professor at Oxford University, U.K., said during a recent Hamaoka visit.

“The world is looking at Japan and what you do with nuclear energy,” Allison said. “The faster Japan can turn the reactors on the better.”

That’s not the view of Japan’s citizens.

According to this month’s poll published by the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper, 69 percent of respondents said nuclear power should be phased out over time or immediately. The March 1 and 2 poll surveyed 3,000 people with a 58 percent response rate.

As the question of turning reactors back on continues to divide Japan, plant operators face other hurdles.

‘Toughest guidelines’

The Nuclear Regulation Authority was formed in September 2012 as an independent watchdog to replace the previous regulator. Its Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said the agency has “the world’s toughest guidelines” for operating nuclear plants……..http://www.smh.com.au/environment/nuclear-energy-costs-still-rising-three-years-on-from-fukushima-20140311-34ii6.html

March 11, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general