Regarding Unit 3 of the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture, which has restarted operations more than 40 years after it began operation, a citizens' group has filed a petition for a provisional injunction to prevent the plant from operating, citing the risk of accidents due to its deterioration. The Osaka High Court will issue its decision on the 15th of this month.
Citizen groups living in Fukui Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture, and other areas opposed to nuclear power plants are concerned about the No. 3 reactor at Kansai Electric Power's Mihama Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture, which began operation 48 years ago in 1976, due to deterioration of equipment over time and the possibility of a huge earthquake. The company applied for a provisional injunction requesting that the vehicle not be operated, claiming that the vehicle's earthquake resistance is insufficient and there is a risk of a serious accident.
In December of last year, the Osaka District Court issued a decision dismissing the complaint, stating that ``Kansai Electric Power's method of assessing the state of deterioration over time could not be called unreasonable,'' and the citizens' group immediately filed an appeal with the Osaka High Court.
According to the citizen group, the Osaka High Court has decided to issue a ruling on this on the 15th of this month.
In principle, the operation of nuclear power plants is limited to 40 years after the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident, but Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 was approved for an extension of operation up to 60 years after a review by the country's Nuclear Regulation Authority, and the operation has been extended for three years. It was restarted before.
It will be interesting to see what kind of judgment the Osaka High Court will make regarding the safety of nuclear power plants that have been in operation for over 40 years.