Japan Plans To Extend Nuclear Reactor Operational Life

JAKARTA - Japanese authorities are considering extending the maximum service life of its nuclear reactors to more than 60 years, in anticipation of public opposition to the construction of new plants, sources familiar with this said.

The government's plan to extend the reactor's service life instead of building a new one is in line with what the ruling Liberal Democratic Party wants, as well as some businesses.

However, this choice raised concerns about the safety of the old nuclear reactors which are prone to accidents, while Japan had previously decided to limit the service life of the reactors.

After the catastrophic 2011 Fukushima reactor leak triggered by a major earthquake and tsunami, Japan imposed stricter safety standards by limiting the operation of nuclear reactors to 40 years in principle.

However, operation for an additional 20 years is possible if safety improvements are made and the reactor passes regulatory screening. The Japanese government plans to submit a bill to change the law governing nuclear reactors to a regular Diet session next year.

It will also discuss inspection and assessment methods to determine whether reactors should be approved to operate for more than 60 years, referring to cases overseas, for example in the United States where reactors there can operate for up to 80 years, citing Kyodo News, Friday, July 16.

In June, unit No. 3 at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Mihama reactor in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan became the country's first reactor to operate in more than 40 years under the new rules.

According to government sources, a proposal has been put forward to revise the law to allow some extensions beyond 60 years, provided screening standards are met.

There have also been calls within the LDP to exclude the 40-year shutdown reactor that has been suspended since the Fukushima disaster.

Japan currently has 33 operational nuclear reactors, with another three under construction. But with some set to reach a maximum lifespan of 60 years by the 2040s, only about 20 reactors are expected to be still operational by 2050 under current rules.

As part of its 2018 basic energy plan, which is under review, the government targets nuclear power to account for 20 to 22 percent of the country's electricity generation by fiscal 2030, to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government estimates that Sakura will need around 30 reactors to meet the needs of power plants to achieve the supply target.