Nuclear reactor in central Japan gets approval for operation extension

Japan's nuclear regulator on Wednesday approved operation extension for a third nuclear reactor in central Japan, indicating a further loosening of restrictions introduced after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The No.3 unit at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Mihama nuclear power plant in Fukui prefecture has been given a 20-year extension, beyond its 40-year maximum life span.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority made the decision on Wednesday.

The reactor, on the Sea of Japan coast, began commercial operation in 1976 and went off line in 2011 for a regular checkup and has not been restarted.

Turning 40 years old later this year, the Mihama reactor is now permitted to operate till the year of 2036.

According to Kansai Electric, it will not restart operations until all the required safety measures have been completed, by March 2020 at the earliest.

The reactor is the third in the country to be granted an extension, following two reactors at the nearby Takahama plant were approved for restarts in June. Endit