Nuclear restart on track after court win
Court rejects legal challenges to restarts at two plants
Ruling is a victory in Japan’s move to resume atomic power
The news
A Japanese court has overturned legal action which has kept nuclear reactors belonging to the country’s second-biggest utility company in mothballs.
The decision clears the way for the Kansai Electric Power Company to restart the four generators in Western Japan.
Big day for nuclear in Japan: Fukui courts overturn injunction on Takahama No. 3 and 4 and block demand to stop restart of Ohi 3 and 4
— Stephen Stapczynski (@SStapczynski) December 24, 2015
It is Japan’s second most important economic region where companies including Panasonic and Sharp are headquartered.
The details
Fukui Governor Consents to Restarting Takahama #nuclear Power Plants https://t.co/4zOqQMInBMpic.twitter.com/GzdenVvLQd
— Atoms in Japan (@Atoms_in_Japan) December 22, 2015
The Fukui District Court overturned an injunction preventing the restart of two of the reactors at the Takahama power station.
It also rejected a request for an injunction to block the restart of two reactors at its Ohi plant.
The context
The decision comes almost five years after the Fukushima disaster.
#Russia offers to help #Japan shut down #Fukushima reactors #Mininghttps://t.co/gYpgE2H7DDpic.twitter.com/n0fPV737m5
— PT. BIGroup Mining (@BerlandGroup) November 27, 2015
Fukushima Melted Reactors Worst Than All Nuclear Testing & Accidents Combined – http://t.co/lCRTWACp3xpic.twitter.com/e9fR9vTSTN
— InvestmentWatch (@InvestWatchBlog) July 25, 2015
Buildings sinking by Fukushima reactors-Molten fuel eating away structural material? http://t.co/WP0c1XzGYKpic.twitter.com/0OJlDbczg1
— Barbara C. Billig (@barbarabillig) July 31, 2015
There were meltdowns in the nuclear reactors at Tokyo Electric Power’s Fukushima Daiichi plant north of Tokyo in March 2011.
The infrastructure had been severely damaged by an earthquake and tsunami.
Not the first restarts
Two reactors restarted this year in the southern island of Kyushu. Another is expected to restart on Shikoku Island early next year.
The post-Fukushima return to atomic energy has been slower than the Japanese government and industry wanted.
Analysts say the court’s decision is an indication of judicial support for Japan’s beefed-up plan for nuclear safety in the wake of Fukushima.
They suggest it heralds the real beginning of the country’s slow return to atomic energy.
The anti-nuclear lobby
However, the court’s decision is a setback for anti-nuclear campaigners.
They have filed lawsuits against most of the country’s 43 operable reactors.
Antinuke citizens' groups protest against the Japan-India nuclear pact outside the PM Office. (Dec.12,2015/Tokyo) pic.twitter.com/bEHbUaVre9
— Japan Press Weekly (@JapanPress_wky) December 15, 2015
Dec 5, protest march against restart of nuclear plants,#Ginza,#Tokyo,#Japanvia
mkimpo_kid</a> KEEP CALM AND <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NONUKES?src=hash">#NONUKES</a> <a href="https://t.co/EBySUdmt9n">pic.twitter.com/EBySUdmt9n</a></p>— Coley (
Coley_EJ) December 6, 2015
It is horrible that they are moving forward with opening another nuclear plant in Japan. #Takahamahttps://t.co/fFZk0jHObj
— WomenForSurvival (@WMN4SRVL) December 24, 2015
Public opposition to restarts remains strong.