Half of Japan's commercial nuclear reactors found problematic

Nearly half of Japan's commercial nuclear power reactors had problems that need to be addressed, including the need for inspections, the government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency has said.

Nearly half of Japan's commercial nuclear power reactors had problems that need to be addressed, including the need for inspections, the government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency has said.

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But none is deemed to have had a problem that is not "tolerable," while a majority got a passing grade, the
Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry-affiliated agency said in the so-called "report cards" that rated the nation's 54
reactors on problems, malfunctions and operational status in the year through March 31.

At Tokyo Electric Power Co, 14 of its 17 reactors needed additional inspections, with the No 1 to 4 reactors of the
Fukushima No 2 plant judged to have had "significant" problems over the mistaken discharge of radioactive materials into the sea through a drainage pipe that came to light in October.

The agency compiles inspection plans for the next fiscal year based on the latest evaluations. While those which
received a passing grade will have only to undergo basic inspections, additional inspections or administrative
measures will be imposed on others that are found to be problematic.

Of the 54 reactors, 29 got the passing grade, with no or only minor problems to address, while two had troubles that
would require additional inspections. Twenty-one are found to have had "significant" problems in terms of their occurrences or impact on safety.

The agency has withheld its evaluations on the No 1 and 2 reactors at Chugoku Electric Power Co's nuclear plant in
Shimane Prefecture for now because numerous inappropriate inspections have just been found there.