Japan lifts 60-year nuclear limit

With the aim of increasing self-sufficiency in energy supply and reducing carbon emissions, Japan decided to extend the life of nuclear reactors.

In the ordinary session of the Assembly, the bill to extend the current 60-year useful life of nuclear reactors in the country was promulgated.

Within the scope of the law, the periods of non-service in which the country’s nuclear reactors do not operate effectively will also be counted out of the total period of operation.

The Nuclear Regulatory Board (ANR) will inspect the state of the reactors for 30 years, every 10 years, and the Ministry of Industry will approve the extension.

Nişimura Yasutoshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, said: “These (old) reactors will not be operational until they receive approval from the NRA every 10 years.” saying.

EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI CAUSED NUCLEAR DISASTER

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio had instructed the government to explore ways to make the most efficient and maximum use of the country’s nuclear power facilities.

After the 2011 earthquake, the Japanese government limited the operating life of nuclear reactors to 40 years in principle and 60 years if safety regulations were met.

In March 2011, as a result of the magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami disaster that followed, 15,900 people lost their lives in the northeastern regions.

Due to the nuclear meltdown caused by the reactor disaster at the Fukushima Dai-içi Nuclear Power Plant, the residential areas surrounding the plant were evacuated. (AA)