Japan restarts first nuclear reactor after 2-year hiatus
Updated: 2015-08-11 11:34
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
TOKYO - Japan restarted a nuclear reactor in the Sendai plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, at 10:30 am local time Tuesday, making it the first utility in the country to do so though anti-atomic sentiment remains strong following the 2011 Fukushima crisis.
The Fukushima accident resulted in the shutting down of all of Japan's commercial reactors by the end of September 2013 due to safety concerns. One year later, the Sendai plant obtained safety clearance from the Nuclear Regulation Authority, becoming the first nuclear facility to meet the new, stricter regulations.
According to the utility's operator Kyushu Electric Power Co., the No. 1 reactor in Sendai plant is expected to reach criticality around 11 p.m. Tuesday and begin generating electricity on Friday. It will enter commercial operation in early September and the resumption of Sendai's No. 2 unit will likely come in October.
The Japanese government has sought to reactivate nuclear reactors that have obtained safety clearance from the regulator, despite the majority of the public being opposed to it in media polls.
A recent poll conducted by Japan's Kyodo News showed that more than 60 percent respondents oppose nuclear plant restarts.
On Monday about 400 protesters rallied in front of the Sendai plant. One demonstrator told reporters: "I can never tolerate this. I cannot stand they are resuming the reactor when the Fukushima nuclear accident remains far from being solved."
On Tuesday morning, dozens of antinuclear protestors gathered in front of the prime minister's office, opposing the restart.
"The accident at the Fukushima plant is not over," said Honami Fujita, a 50-year-old housewife from Kanagawa Prefecture near Tokyo. "Who would take responsibility if an accident like Fukushima happens again?"
According to Kyodo News, two reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Takahama plant are seen as the next candidates for resumption after obtaining safety clearance from the Nuclear Regulation Authority in February.
However, a court in April banned the utility from restarting the units citing safety concerns, clouding the firm's plan to switch the reactors back on in November.
Related Stories
Japan aims to restart nuclear reactor in June 2015-02-06 13:42
Japan to bring first nuke plant online since Fukushima disaster 2015-08-11 10:06
Japan approves increase in Fukushima compensation to $57 bln 2015-07-28 19:00
Today's Top News
Greece, lenders in stretch run to to seal new bailout
State Council approves plan to overhaul SOEs, claims report
Amazing China 2015 photo contest unveiled in Beijing
China's HK CTS Metropark buys Kew Green, manager of Brighton's Grand Hotel
Chinese companies finding credibility abroad
Sun Yang is no-show for 1,500 free final at worlds
Measuring women's bust shows how dating is transforming
China rejects Philippine, Japanese, US claims on S. China Sea issue
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Worlds apart in a different class |
Road map points way for new industrial cluster |
Plan to teach pupils practical skills welcome |
Civility strikes back |
Changing color of China's blue-collar workers |
Frozen assets may not beat the biological clock |