in Saga Prefecture on Kyushu, the southernmost main island of Japan decides to future nuclear policy. For here lies the Genkai nuclear power plant, which currently maintain two of four reactors after maintenance work in April on the restart. But hesitates Governor Yasushi Furukawa. Before making a decision, he would consult again with Prime Minister Naoto Kan and more about its future plans on energy policy of the country to find out.
Genkai Nuclear Power Plant is not an isolated case. Across Japan, reactor operators are waiting for the green light to local government. Thus, in the moment are 35 of the 54 reactors out of service, such as NHK has calculated. Some were turned off in the wake of the disaster, however, most were interrupted due to maintenance work. Because in Japan have legally every 13 months, the reactors are tested for safety.
Everything looks the Saga Prefecture
Basically, the Tokyo government, together with the operators alone order the re-commissioning of reactors after maintenance work. But after Fukushima urges the government of Naoto Kan also expressly consent to the local government. Is critical to the population of nuclear power is currently over.
Governor Yasushi Furukawa has to make a decision now as the first. His word is according to precedent. Still, the other competent prefecture governments keep up with definitive statements deliberately restrained. The only governor of the prefecture of Fukushima Sato has turned the public against nuclear energy.
exit to April 2012?
If Governor Furukawa
pronounce against the Genkai nuclear power plant, this could have on the rest of local governments to follow a chain reaction that could ultimately seal the nuclear phase-out to Japan in April 2012. Because up to this time, the still remaining active reactors are currently must undergo maintenance work. Japan would adopt earlier in this scenario 10 years from nuclear power as Germany.
The government wants
Kan prevent this at all costs. Thus, because Japan would give up a hit on 30 percent of the energy sources. For the economy as a nightmare scenario. Industry Minister Banri Kaeida has ever met with Governor precaution Furukawa and it guarantees that the safety of the NPP Genkai is guaranteed.
Economic pressure
The sudden exit
is only one of many scenarios. It is quite possible that some local governments take their reactors still in operation again. Because too large in some regions, the economic pressure NPP. Often, the nuclear power plant is the only major employer. The Mayor Hideo Kishimoto small city of the 6400 population because Genkai has already expressed his approval of the local nuclear power plant as a precaution.
In front of television cameras
Kishimoto said the President of Kyushu Electric Power, which operates the Genkai nuclear power plant, from his confidence. For the first time in Fukushima thus a mayor of a nuclear power plant has given the town permission to return to service.
concern of the neighbors
In the neighboring city of Karatsu sees the matter more skeptical. “I do not understand that our fears are simply wiped Sun My cautious approach has not “changed, said the local mayor Toshiyuki Sakai compared to NHK. Even the neighboring prefectures of Fukuoka and Nagasaki have brought their concerns to express.
Now everything depends
on the final decision of Governor Yasushi Furukawa. Mayor Kishimotos promise he had accepted calmly, he said in a subsequent press conference. He understood the concerns of the mayor of Genkai, the reactors should be shut down. His decision was based on consultations with the prefecture but Parliament and a meeting with Prime Minister Naoto Kan. In the next two weeks, will more accurately express Furukawa.
Update, 13 July 2011: Japan's government has ordered because of the increasing criticism of a stress test for all nuclear power plants. Thus, Governor Furukawa wait with its decision. Prime Minister Naoto Kan has also announced that his country is working towards a gradual nuclear phase.
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