Japan’s nuclear regulator approved new regulations on Wednesday (21 December) that will allow commercial power reactors to operate longer than the previous limit of 60 years as the nation looks to increase the share of power generated by nuclear energy.
The Japan Times said the government aims to introduce legislation to allow for longer reactor operation during next year’s parliamentary session, where “a tough debate between supporters and opponents of extending the use of nuclear power is likely”.
The decision came a day after a Japanese court rejected an injunction against Kansai Electric Power Company’s Mihama-3 nuclear power plant, the first and only reactor unit in Japan to be in operation for more than 40 years.
The Japan Times said the government aims to introduce legislation to allow for longer reactor operation during next year’s parliamentary session, where “a tough debate between supporters and opponents of extending the use of nuclear power is likely”.
The decision came a day after a Japanese court rejected an injunction against Kansai Electric Power Company’s Mihama-3 nuclear power plant, the first and only reactor unit in Japan to be in operation for more than 40 years.
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