Dear Colleagues:

Here is an interesting commentary, "Japan's nuclear energy and waste storage policy quandary"

OSAKA
As an aftermath of the 3/11 nuclear accident in 2011, Japan shut down all of its 48 nuclear reactors and they remain inactive at present.
Recently two reactors at Satsuma-Sendai in Kagoshima Prefecture got a nod of approval from the Nuclear Regulation Authority indicating the reactors have met the current, far more stringent, safety regulations.

However, there are other hurdles left to clear in addition to meeting these safety regulations. First, the public has a period of time in which to submit comments on the re-activation activities. After that, local and prefectural approval must be garnered prior to re-activation.
This approval process for the two reactors in Satsuma-Sendai should not be rough sailing because the mayor of the Satsuma-Sendai city and the Kagoshima governor are reportedly inclined to support re-activation.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/opinions/view/japans
-nuclear-energy-and-waste-storage-policy-quandary

Yone Sugita
Osaka U.