Japan's "problem nuclear power plant" was criticized, Japanese media: Kishida nuclear power policy began to "runaway"
[Global Times correspondent in Japan Yue Linwei, Global Times correspondent Ma Fang] The Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 in Mihama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan resumed operation on the 30th.
The Japanese government's move has aroused strong criticism from public opinion because the unit has had many safety accidents.
According to Kyodo News on the 30th, Japan's Kansai Electric Power Company announced that the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3, which had been in operation for more than 40 years and was shut down due to regular inspections, restarted on the same day.
If the operation goes well, electricity generation and transmission will begin on September 1.
Unit 3 of the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant was put into use in December 1976. In June 2021, the unit was recognized by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Commission of Japan and became the first nuclear power unit in Japan that can be "extended service" after more than 40 years of operation.
However, Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 has had many safety accidents.
In August 2004, an accident occurred in the unit due to the rupture of the pipeline, which resulted in the ejection of high-temperature water vapor, resulting in the death of 5 employees and serious injuries to 6 others.
On August 1 this year, a water leak containing radioactive substances occurred inside the unit, and the leakage amount was about 7 tons.
However, the Kansai Electric Power Company said there was no impact on the environment.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on the 24th that in order to ensure a stable power supply in the future, after next summer, the number of nuclear power plants to restart will be increased from the current 10 to 17, and the maximum operating period of nuclear power plants is currently 60 years. The operating hours are further extended.
Japanese media believe that Kishida's statement shows that Japan's nuclear energy policy has ushered in a major change.
Although the restart of nuclear power plants will help alleviate the problem of insufficient power supply, the Japanese people still have considerable concerns about nuclear safety issues.
The Asahi Shimbun quoted Tetsuyan Nakajima, a resident of Fukui Prefecture, as saying on the 29th: "I really don't know what to say. If you can humbly accept the lessons of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, you should not restart the old nuclear power plant." Japan "Modern Business" magazine said that the Kishida regime's nuclear power policy has begun to "runaway".
If the existing nuclear power plant is to be reused, the accident treatment of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station must be basically completed. However, the actual situation is that the discharge of nuclear polluted water is facing heavy opposition.