Reactor screening to begin in July or later

The head of Japan's nuclear watchdog says it cannot begin safety screening of off-line reactors until new safety standards are set up next July.

All but two of Japan's reactors are suspended following the Fukushima accident last year.

The chairman of the Nuclear Regulation Authority, Shunichi Tanaka, said on Wednesday that it wants to keep the debate on safety open to the public. He said that will allow power companies to respond to demands for new safety standards.

Tanaka said even if utilities apply to restart reactors, the authority cannot begin screening applications unless new safety rules are made into law.
[link to www3.nhk.or.jp]
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