The Nuclear Regulation Authority has voted on a new system to deal with aging, in response to the government's policy to substantially extend the operating period of nuclear power plants, which is 40 years in principle and 60 years at the longest. However, one of the committee members objected and the decision was not made unanimously, so it was decided by a majority vote.
It is unusual for the regulatory committee to decide on the content of important matters by majority vote even though there are pros and cons.
Regarding the operating period of nuclear power plants, the government has compiled a policy to exclude suspension periods due to inspections, etc., and allow them to operate for practically over 60 years.
In response to this, the Nuclear Regulation Authority established a system to deal with the aging of nuclear power plants. However, at the meeting on the 8th of this month, one of the committee members, Akira Ishiwatari, who is in charge of examining earthquakes and tsunamis, opposed it, and the formal decision was postponed.
On the 13th, a special meeting was held to discuss the new system and to vote on the revision of the Nuclear Reactor Regulation Act that reflects the contents of the system.
As a result, while four out of five members voted in favor of the bill, Commissioner Ishiwatari was against it again.
At the meeting, Commissioner Ishiwatari explained the reason for his opposition, saying, "It is not based on new scientific and technological knowledge, and it cannot be said that it is a modification to the safe side. The more stringent the examination, the more aged reactors will be operated in the future. I will do it,' he said.
It is unusual for the regulatory committee to make decisions by majority vote on the content of important matters, even if the pros and cons are divided.