Kansai Electric Japanese nuclear power plants restart imminent

• 8 years ago (2015-12-24)

Asia 892 Nuclear 659

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In April, local residents succeeded in getting an injunction against the No.3 and No.4 reactors at Takahama, due to the underestimation of earthquake risks. However, after today’s legal success, Kansai Electric expects to restart the Takahama No.3 and No.4 reactors by late February.

In a statement, Kansai Electric said: "Today's two rulings show a recognition that safety has been ensured at Takahama Nuclear Power Station and Ohi Nuclear Power Station."

Restarting Kansai’s Takahama plants would follow the trend set in southern Japan earlier this year as other reactors came back online.

Hiroyuki Kawai, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said: "The decision is extremely improper, underlining an unwillingness to learn from the Fukushima Daiichi disaster."

Other legal experts raised concerns over the ruling.

Hiroshi Segi, professor at Meiji University’s law school, said: "We can't see how the issues raised by the court in April have been cleared… In general, the April decision was more convincing than the latest decision."

The ruling is a significant setback for the country’s anti-nuclear campaigners.