nuclear-news

But the move would be controversial in a nation where most oppose nuclear power, with memories still fresh of the worst atomic crisis since Chernobyl in 1986……..

Kyushu Electric Power Co will be given the greenlight to restart two nuclear units in southwestern Japan, with June penciled in for the first unit, according to three sources familiar with the government’s thinking. They declined to be identified as they were not authorized to speak with media.

By June, Japan’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority is expected to have completed the final checks and appraisal of the reactors at Kyushu Electric’s Sendai station, letting Abe give the final go-ahead after local authority approval late last year.

A June restart would also mean local elections scheduled for April would be out of the way, giving the government some leeway to take such a potentially unpopular step…….

“We urge the government to take into full consideration the tremendous suffering from the nuclear power plant accident and make sure that future policy ensures the safety and peace of mind of all citizens,” Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori said, when asked about restarts………

there is a chance restarts could be delayed as the units have been shut for more than three years and may need further maintenance. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/06/us-japan-nuclear-restart-idUSKBN0LA08320150206