Court rejects legal challenges to restarts at two plants

Ruling is a victory in Japan’s move to resume atomic power

The news

A Japanese court has overturned legal action which has kept nuclear reactors belonging to the country’s second-biggest utility company in mothballs.

The decision clears the way for the Kansai Electric Power Company to restart the four generators in Western Japan.

Big day for nuclear in Japan: Fukui courts overturn injunction on Takahama No. 3 and 4 and block demand to stop restart of Ohi 3 and 4 — Stephen Stapczynski (@SStapczynski) December 24, 2015

It is Japan’s second most important economic region where companies including Panasonic and Sharp are headquartered.

The details

Fukui Governor Consents to Restarting Takahama #nuclear Power Plants https://t.co/4zOqQMInBMpic.twitter.com/GzdenVvLQd — Atoms in Japan (@Atoms_in_Japan) December 22, 2015

The Fukui District Court overturned an injunction preventing the restart of two of the reactors at the Takahama power station.

It also rejected a request for an injunction to block the restart of two reactors at its Ohi plant.

The context

The decision comes almost five years after the Fukushima disaster.

Fukushima Melted Reactors Worst Than All Nuclear Testing & Accidents Combined – http://t.co/lCRTWACp3xpic.twitter.com/e9fR9vTSTN — InvestmentWatch (@InvestWatchBlog) July 25, 2015

Buildings sinking by Fukushima reactors-Molten fuel eating away structural material? http://t.co/WP0c1XzGYKpic.twitter.com/0OJlDbczg1 — Barbara C. Billig (@barbarabillig) July 31, 2015

There were meltdowns in the nuclear reactors at Tokyo Electric Power’s Fukushima Daiichi plant north of Tokyo in March 2011.

The infrastructure had been severely damaged by an earthquake and tsunami.

Not the first restarts

Two reactors restarted this year in the southern island of Kyushu. Another is expected to restart on Shikoku Island early next year.

The post-Fukushima return to atomic energy has been slower than the Japanese government and industry wanted.

Analysts say the court’s decision is an indication of judicial support for Japan’s beefed-up plan for nuclear safety in the wake of Fukushima.

They suggest it heralds the real beginning of the country’s slow return to atomic energy.

The anti-nuclear lobby

However, the court’s decision is a setback for anti-nuclear campaigners.

They have filed lawsuits against most of the country’s 43 operable reactors.

Antinuke citizens' groups protest against the Japan-India nuclear pact outside the PM Office. (Dec.12,2015/Tokyo) pic.twitter.com/bEHbUaVre9 — Japan Press Weekly (@JapanPress_wky) December 15, 2015

It is horrible that they are moving forward with opening another nuclear plant in Japan. #Takahamahttps://t.co/fFZk0jHObj — WomenForSurvival (@WMN4SRVL) December 24, 2015

Public opposition to restarts remains strong.