Japan orders ‘stress tests’ on its nuclear reactors

Attempting to quell growing concern about nuclear safety.

The Japanese government has announced it is to carry out so-called stress tests on all of the country’s nuclear reactors.

A string of plants were shut down in the wake of the massive earthquake and tsunami that triggered a nuclear crisis in the country’s north-east.

Japanese Industry Minister Banri Kaieda told reporters: “We will refer to the criteria of the European Union’s expertise to reassure people about the safety of nuclear energy, and this must be done as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, Japan has a new Reconstruction Minister, Naoto Kan. He replaces Ryu Matsumoto who resigned after just a week in the job over remarks that offended survivors of the quake and tsunami.

After the crisis at the Fukushima plant, the EU began safety checks all of its 143 reactors. It is urging similar inspections worldwide.

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