May 23, 2013

The Nuclear Regulation Authority on May 22 approved a report from its expert panel which acknowledges that an active fault exists beneath the No. 2 reactor at the Tsuruga Nuclear Power Plant (Tsuruga City in Fukui Prefecture), greatly increasing the possibility of decommissioning of the reactor.

It is the first time for a regulatory authority to accept that a nuclear power-related facility sits on an active fault.

The current state guidelines for NPPs prohibit the construction of facilities such as a reactor building above active faults.

At a press conference, NRA Chair Tanaka Shun’ichi said, “I find that it will be difficult to reactivate the reactor.”

The Japan Atomic Power Company, an operator of the Tsuruga NPP, issued a comment on the NRA’s decision, which says, “It is totally unacceptable.” Furthermore, the JAPC had sent a written protest to each expert panel member. This was taken up at the May 22 NRA meeting, provoking members’ criticism. The NRA chair also expressed his concern regarding the JAPC’s response.