Japan to Restart First Nuclear Reactor Under New Rules Since Crisis

A power plant operator is set to restart a reactor, the first under new safety requirements following the Fukushima disaster.

This aerial file photo taken on July 7, 2015, shows reactors of No. 1, right, and No. 2 at the Sendai Nuclear Power Station in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima prefecture, southern Japan.

TOKYO: A power plant operator is set to restart a reactor in southern Japan on Tuesday, the first restart under new safety requirements following the Fukushima disaster.

Kyushu Electric Power Co. said Monday that it will restart the No. 1 reactor at its Sendai nuclear plant Tuesday morning.

The restart marks Japan's return to nuclear energy, breaking a four-and-half-year nuclear power impasse since the 2011 meltdowns at Fukushima following the earthquake and tsunami.

The Sendai No. 1 reactor is scheduled to start generating power Friday before reaching full capacity next month.

All of Japan's nearly 50 workable reactors have been offline for repairs or safety checks. Abe's government wants as many of them as possible to sustain the nation's economy.