[국제]’Using nuclear power plants for more than 60 years’ Japanese government plan brakes… Nuclear power regulators “oppose”

Japanese nuclear power plant life… Up to 60 years including one extension
Reflecting public concerns after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident
Japanese government… Promoting ‘more than 60 years’ of nuclear power plant life

[앵커]

The Japanese government’s plan to increase the lifespan of nuclear power plants to more than 60 years by saying that they will use nuclear power plants to the maximum has been put on the brakes.

This is because there was an opposing opinion within the regulatory body, citing the safety issue of extending the lifespan of nuclear power plants.

Correspondent Kyung-ah Lee reports from Tokyo.

[기자]

In 2012, the year after the Fukushima accident, the Japanese government set the lifespan of nuclear power plants at 40 years in principle.

At one time, it could be extended for no more than 20 years, so it could be used for up to 60 years.

This was in consideration of the people’s serious concerns about nuclear safety.

However, at the end of last year, the Japanese government changed its policy significantly so that it could be used for more than 60 years.

[기시다 후미오 / 일본 총리 (1/23 국회 시정연설) : 폐로가 되는 원전을 차세대 혁신형 원자로로 교체하고 원전 운전 기간을 일정 기간 연장하는 것을 추진하겠습니다.]

Due to power shortages following the war in Ukraine, the Japanese government is emphasizing the need to make the most of nuclear power plants.

But this plan was put on hold.

Before submitting the bill to the National Assembly, it encountered opposition from some members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

[이시와타리 아키라 / 일본 원자력규제위원 : 저는 이번 개정에 반대합니다. 이것은 과학적 기술적으로 뭔가 새로운 견해가 나와 법률을 바꾸는 것이 아니라고 이해하고 있습니다.]

In addition, he emphasized that “the mission of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is to protect people and the environment,” and that the extension of the use of nuclear power plants “cannot be said to change to a safer side.”

Of the 2,000 public opinions that came to the Regulatory Commission, most were opposed.

The regulatory committee, which has not reached a conclusion, decided to discuss the issue again next week.

As early as this spring, ahead of the release of contaminated water from Fukushima into the ocean, the Japanese government is promoting safety at home and abroad.

Voices raising questions about safety, especially in the affected area, continue to this day.

This is why Japanese society, which has experienced how enormous the cost can be once an accident occurs, cannot help but welcome the expansion of nuclear power plant use.

This is YTN Kyungah Lee from Tokyo.

YTN Lee Kyung-ah ([e-mail])

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