Japan is considering extending the operating life of its nuclear power stations along with designing and building a new generation of nuclear plants, says Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The nuclear policy announcement was made on Wednesday. The announcement signalled a sharp turn away from the previous official policy of not adding to its fleet of nuclear power stations in a country subject to considerable seismic activity.

Existing power stations were to be allowed to operate for more than 60 years.

A decision on the new policy is to be taken by the end of the year.

Japan introduced stricter safety standards following a huge offshore earthquake and resultant tsunami that shut down the Fukushima nuclear power station in 2011.

A basic limit of 40 years’ operating life was imposed, although continued operation for a further 20 years was permitted, provided that stricter safety measures would be taken.

To date, 17 reactors have complied with these stricter regulations, with 10 having started producing power.

Everything was being done to restart the remaining seven, Kishida said.

Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, has set the target of generating between 20 per cent and 22 per cent of its electricity with nuclear power by 2030.

It would still be lower than pre-Fukushima levels. 

(dpa/NAN)