Japan plans to set 40-year limit on reactors life span RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED January 07, 2012 The Japanese government plans to limit the service life of nuclear reactors to 40 years, nuclear disaster minister Goshi Hosono said on Friday, according to the Kyodo news agency. It will also require nuclear plant operators to take measures to prevent severe accidents that could result in serious damage to the reactor core and the massive release of radioactive material. The plan is part of a bill drawn up in the wake of the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, based on the assumption that nuclear power should be used only when safety can be ensured, Hosono said. The bill is expected to be submitted to parliament later this month. Of Japan's 54 commercial reactors, three are at least 40 years old - the No. 1 reactors at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Daiichi plant, Japan Atomic Power Co.'s Tsuruga plant in Fukui Prefecture, and Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Mihama plant also in Fukui. Topics: Asia, Decommissioning, Japan Other news: Russia, U.S. ink uranium enrichment pact for 2013-2022 Sergey Kiriyenko and Daniel Poneman signed the agreement. Iran Busher to enter full operation in March 2012 – agency In September, Iran officially opened Bushehr which was completed with Russia's assistance after a long delay. Russia launches fourth unit at Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant Unit went online on Monday. |
Hero of the day Iran views of its nuclear issue It is difficult to say what will happen next, especially since the international community is split into two opposing camps on this issue. This article will analyze both of them, also taking into account the situation in Tehran. INTERVIEW
Georgy Toshinsky OPINION
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