Japan To Restart Monju Fast-Breeder Reactor

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

Japan To Restart Monju Fast-Breeder Reactor

TOKYO (AP) - Japan on Friday approved the reopening of an 
accident-tainted nuclear reactor and defended its nuclear policy as 
vital for a resource-poor nation. 

Japan's Atomic Energy Commission decided to restart Japan's 
experimental Monju fast-breeder reactor as soon as possible. The 
reactor was shut down in December 1995 following an accident in 
which several tons of sodium leaked from its cooling system. 

The plan reaffirmed Tokyo's commitment to nuclear power, and it 
comes with public trust in the industry shaken by a series of 
mishaps and cover-ups including an accident last September at a 
reprocessing plant northwest of Tokyo that killed two people and 
exposed hundreds to radiation. 

Friday's plan didn't specify when the reactor, about 220 miles west 
of Tokyo will be back in operation. 

Japan relies almost entirely on imports for oil and other natural 
resources. The government is betting heavily on nuclear power to 
achieve a measure of long-term energy self-sufficiency. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sandy Perle					Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100   				    	
Director, Technical				Extension 2306 				     	
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Personal Website: http://sandyfl.nukeworker.net
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