Japanese Atomic Regulator Deems 40-Year-Old Takahama Reactors Safe

Japan’s atomic regulator declared Wednesday that two reactors at the Takahama nuclear power plant were safe, making a step toward restarting them for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — The reactors are both over 41 and 42 years old, falling under the regulation by the national Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) which banned reactors that have turned 40 years from operating. NRA later extended the allowed service period by 20 years if they pass a security screening.

Takahama reactors in the Fukui Prefecture are still to clear two more equipment security checks and a seismic test by July. If they get the clearance from NRA, Takahama operator Kansai Electric Power will have to spend some $1.3 billion on security updates over the next three years.

Japan toughened nuclear regulations after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and an ensuing tsunami crippled the Fukushima power plant in 2011, triggering a meltdown that caused the facility to leak radioactive material into the sea.