Japan’s newly appointed Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry says he will continue with
restarting nuclear reactors in the country that are deemed safe.
The trade minister, Yoichi Miyazawa, said he would also move toward restarting Kyushu
Electric’s Sendai nuclear plant, according to Reuters. Miyazawa replaces Yuko Obushi, who
resigned after less than two months in her position amid allegations that her support groups
mismanaged political funds.
All 48 reactors in the country are currently shut down following the 2011 disaster at the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The reactors must receive approval from the Nuclear
Regulation Agency and the local communities where they are sited, and undergo more stringent
safety checks before they can restart. The two-unit Sendai plant passed NRA’s safety check in
September, but must still pass operational safety checks by the regulator.
