Japan restarts fourth nuclear reactor under new rules
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TOKYO - A Japanese utility reactivated a nuclear reactor Friday, the fourth unit brought back online under updated regulations following the triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in 2011.
Kansai Electric Power restarted Reactor 4 at the Takahama nuclear plant on the Sea of Japan coast, 400 kilometres west of Tokyo, following the resumption of Reactor 3 at the same complex in late January. The latest resumption comes amid growing concerns about the safety of Reactor 4 following a leak of radioactive coolant water Saturday in a building attached to the unit.
In August, Kyushu Electric Power reactivated two reactors last year at the Sendai nuclear plant on the south-western island of Kyushu. The other 44 reactors in Japan remain offline amid lingering public fears of nuclear power following the 2011 disaster. The Fukushima plant suffered meltdowns at three of its six reactors during a strong earthquake and subsequent tsunami. More than 100,000 residents have not been able to return to their homes near the complex due to radioactive contamination.
- DPA
