At the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture, where problems with counterterrorism measures have been occurring one after another, a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), commissioned by Tokyo Electric Power Company, has been working from the 25th to evaluate the progress of improvements in counterterrorism measures. We have started a field survey.
On the 25th, five experts dispatched from the IAEA met with TEPCO, and during the meeting, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant Director Takeyuki Inagaki said, ``We humbly learn from the IAEA's evaluation and continue to work to improve counterterrorism measures.'' "We aim to be a power plant that is trusted by the local community."
In response, Tapani Haq from the expert team said, ``The purpose of the investigation is to evaluate counterterrorism efforts and provide further advice to TEPCO as necessary.''
The investigation was commissioned by Tokyo Electric Power Company in order to have an independent evaluation of the progress made in anti-terrorism measures at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, where the Nuclear Regulation Authority's de facto ban on operation was lifted in December last year. Until the 2nd of next month, it is expected that equipment related to counter-terrorism measures will be checked and interviews with related parties will be conducted.
Regarding the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the focus is on local consent, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has asked Governor Hanazumi of Niigata Prefecture to understand the government's policy of restarting the nuclear power plant. Governor Hanazumi has stated that there are growing concerns about evacuations in the event of an accident, and has indicated that he will closely monitor the national response.