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Fukushima aftermath: Japan to restart first nuclear power plant Japan restarts first nuclear power plant since Fukushima
(35 minutes later)
Japan is due to restart a nuclear reactor under new safety rules brought in after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Japan has restarted its first nuclear reactor under new safety rules after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
All Japan's nuclear plants were gradually shut down after a series of meltdowns at the Fukushima plant.All Japan's nuclear plants were gradually shut down after a series of meltdowns at the Fukushima plant.
But after passing stringent new tests, Kyushu Electric Power said it would restart the number one reactor at its Sendai plant on Tuesday morning. But after passing stringent new safety tests, Kyushu Electric Power restarted the number one reactor at its Sendai plant on Tuesday morning.
Japanese power operators have applied to restart 25 reactors, despite strong public opposition.Japanese power operators have applied to restart 25 reactors, despite strong public opposition.
The disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant was triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami.The disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant was triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami.
Kyushu said reactor No.1 at Sendai began operating again at 10:30 local time (01:30 GMT).
The number one reactor is expected to start generating power by Friday and reach full capacity some time next month.
Safety first
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that the government wanted to press ahead with restarting reactors after they had passed "the world's toughest safety screening".Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that the government wanted to press ahead with restarting reactors after they had passed "the world's toughest safety screening".
"I would like Kyushu Electric to put safety first and take utmost precautions for the restart," he said."I would like Kyushu Electric to put safety first and take utmost precautions for the restart," he said.
The government has said Japan needs nuclear power to cut huge energy import bills and to cut Japan's growing CO2 emissions.The government has said Japan needs nuclear power to cut huge energy import bills and to cut Japan's growing CO2 emissions.
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo says that more than $100m has been spent on fitting new safety systems at the Sendai plant. The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo says that more than $100m (£64m) has been spent on fitting new safety systems at the Sendai plant.
However, experts have warned that reactors left idle for years tend to experience teething problems and they say such a mass restart of dormant reactors has never been attempted before, our correspondent adds.However, experts have warned that reactors left idle for years tend to experience teething problems and they say such a mass restart of dormant reactors has never been attempted before, our correspondent adds.
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority approved two reactors at the Sendai pant last September under stricter safety rules. The second reactor is due to be restarted in October.Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority approved two reactors at the Sendai pant last September under stricter safety rules. The second reactor is due to be restarted in October.
The number one reactor is expected to start generating power by Friday and reach full capacity some time next month. Despite the government's plans, there is strong public resistance to restarting nuclear power plants and protest were staged outside the Sendai plant on Monday and Tuesday.
Despite the government's plans, there is strong public resistance to restarting nuclear power plants and protesters gathered outside the Sendai plant on Monday.
Local residents say they are worried about potential dangers from active volcanoes in the region.Local residents say they are worried about potential dangers from active volcanoes in the region.
Protesters were rallied by Naoto Kan, prime minister at the time of the Fukushima crisis, who told the crowd: "We don't need nuclear plants."Protesters were rallied by Naoto Kan, prime minister at the time of the Fukushima crisis, who told the crowd: "We don't need nuclear plants."
He said the Fukushima disaster had "exposed the myth of safe and cheap nuclear power, which turned out to be dangerous and expensive".He said the Fukushima disaster had "exposed the myth of safe and cheap nuclear power, which turned out to be dangerous and expensive".
One of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded struck off the coast of Japan in March 2011, triggering a huge tsunami. Almost 16,000 people died and more than 2,500 are still listed as missing.One of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded struck off the coast of Japan in March 2011, triggering a huge tsunami. Almost 16,000 people died and more than 2,500 are still listed as missing.
None of the deaths, however, has been linked to the nuclear disaster, although there were a number of fatalities in the subsequent evacuation.None of the deaths, however, has been linked to the nuclear disaster, although there were a number of fatalities in the subsequent evacuation.