Japan nuclear plant obtains permits needed to restart reactors

A nuclear power plant in Japan has secured the final permit it needs to restart its reactors, setting it up to be the country’s first nuclear plant to reopen since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. 

The  Nuclear Regulation Authority approved operational safety plans for two reactors at the Sendai nuclear power plant in southern Japan, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

{mosads}The plant owner, Kyushu Electric, hopes to restart the plant’s two reactors by July and September. The facility needs only on-site safety checks before it can do that.

All of Japan’s nuclear power plants shut down for inspection and safety upgrades in the wake of the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, where a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear meltdown. The Sendai plant, conforming to a host of new safety regulations from the government, would be the first to restart its reactors since then.

Kyushu applied to start the plant’s reactors two years ago. Officials said it spent $100 million on safety upgrades at the Sendai plant, the BBC reported Monday after touring the facility.