Japan Seeks to Restart Several Nuclear Reactors

There are several factors on the side of the companies that applied July 8 to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority for permission to restart a total of 10 nuclear reactors in the country. The reactors are located in four different prefectures, but they are all on the less densely populated west coast, which is also less vulnerable to tsunamis. Additionally, their type and age will likely make it easier for the reactors to pass newly established safety standards. Finally, although there is still significant anti-nuclear power sentiment in Japan, the governments in the prefectures housing the plants that applied for restart are either neutral or pro-nuclear power. Nevertheless, given the lengthy nature of the inspection process, the reactors probably will not begin coming back online until early 2014, and even then they will do so gradually.