Japan Court Bars Operation of Kansai Elec.’s Ohi Reactors
- Nation’s nuclear regulator to consult with Ministry of Justice
- Ruling a blow to government efforts to restart atomic plants
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A Japanese court ruled two nuclear reactors in the western part of the country can’t resume operation, dealing a blow to the government’s effort to expand atomic power generation to help meet its net-zero emissions goal.
Osaka District Court ordered the government to revoke regulatory approval for Kansai Electric Power Co. to operate its Ohi No. 3 and No. 4 reactors in Fukui prefecture, the utility said in a statement Friday. It’s the first time a court has ruled to remove an operating license since the nation reformed its regulations in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, according to national broadcaster NHK.