Japan denies reports of April reactor restart

Japan's trade minister corrected reports that two reactors will be restarted around April, saying they have not set deadlines to resume operations.

The Yomiuri newspaper, citing government sources, said the government intended to restart the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co's Ohi plant in Fukui prefecture, western Japan, before the last active reactor in Japan is due to shut by the end of April for regular maintenance.

Trade Minister Yukio Edano, who also holds the energy portfolio, said there was no such deadline, reports Reuters.

"The only standard is whether we can gain a certain level of understanding from the locals and the public," Edano said.

Approval by local authorities is not required by law but the government is reluctant to over-ride public safety concerns.