New safety rules make reopening of Japan's nuclear plants difficult

Measures will be introduced to protect Japanese nuclear power facilities against natural disasters and terrorism.

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority  has unveiled a draft of the safety measures that will be mandatory under the proposed standards, making it difficult for electric utilities to reopen idle nuclear plants shutdown after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in 2011.

Set to be finalised in July 2013, the new rules could be the biggest overhaul of mandatory industry standards since the nuclear disaster.

Under the proposed measures, nuclear facilities must be equipped with backup control rooms located away from reactor buildings to reduce the risk of staff being exposed to radiation in an emergency.

Plants would also need to have protective structures to withstand the impact of a jet airliner during a potential terrorist attack.

The proposed rules calls for installation of vents that are capable of filtering out radioactive gases at the facilities so that emergency venting becomes easier.

The draft safety measures also set criteria for evacuating areas around nuclear power stations during an emergency.

Japan's nuclear power plant operators are expected to apply to restart idle reactors once the nuclear regulator finalises the proposed rules.

In his new year message, NRA chairman Shunichi Tanaka stated in a post on NRA's website that 'the safety standards in Japan were insufficient' at the time of Fukushima disaster when international levels considered.

"To make up for this lag, the NRA will work rationally to reach calm, scientific and strict judgments and to fulfil its responsibility as the regulatory authority," added Tanaka.

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