Japan Press Weekly
[Advanced search]
 
 
HOME
Past issues
Special issues
Books
Fact Box
Feature Articles
Mail to editor
Link
Mail magazine
 
   
 
HOME  > Past issues  > 2010 February 10 - 16  > Government OKs ‘Monju’ resumption of operations
> List of Past issues
Bookmark and Share
2010 February 10 - 16 [ENVIRONMENT]

Government OKs ‘Monju’ resumption of operations

February 11, 2010
The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry on February 10 confirmed the resumption of the operation of the fast-breeder reactor “Monju” in Fukui Prefecture.

The nuclear reactor which uses plutonium as its reactor fuel has been shut down for 14 years after a fire incident that occurred in 1995.

The resumption of the “Monju” operation had been postponed four times due to repeated problems associated with safety.

Launching the development of fast-breeder reactors earlier than Japan, the U.S., the U.K, France, and Germany have all abandoned their projects because of technical difficulties and the enormous costs associated with them.

The Japanese government has already spent 900 billion yen for the construction and operation of “Monju.” Resuming operations will necessitate a further vast use of taxpayers’ money.

It has been established that a 15-meter active fault that can cause a 6.8-magnitude earthquake runs very close to “Monju”. An earthquake of that magnitude could lead to accidents much worse than the one occurred 14 years ago due to a fire.
- Akahata, February 11, 2010
> List of Past issues
 
  Copyright (c) Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. All right reserved