The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Special Commission has begun an inspection of Japan’s nuclear plants, and the commission is expected to complete all inspections by Friday, Jan. 22, Russia’s TASS news agency said this week.
The IAEA team also will work with Japan’s Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) to evaluate the nation’s nuclear policies and operations at its nuclear plants.
The Sendai Nuclear Power Plant was the first facility in the country to come back online after all nuclear plants in Japan were taken offline after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. The NSC and the nation’s nuclear operators are working with governmental bodies to facilitate the restarting of the country’s nuclear generation plants.
Following the evaluation, the IAEA team will provide results and recommendations for the nation’s nuclear program to improve safety and operational standards. The World Nuclear Association (WNA) said approximately 30 percent of the country’s energy supply was generated at nuclear facilities before the Fukushima meltdown. Currently, approximately 84 percent of energy is imported to Japan from other sources, the WNA said.
TASS said the IAEA commission will be visiting the Takahama Nuclear Power Plant and Fukushima Unit 1 during the inspection process.
