Akira Ishiwata, a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Resigns

Akira Ishiwata, a member of‌ the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, resigned⁣ on the 18th because his term expired. Mr. Ishiwata⁣ has⁣ opposed changes to the ⁤regulatory​ system made by the Kishida administration in line with legal overhauls that would allow nuclear power plants to ​operate for more than ​60 years.

“I cannot accept‍ the‌ decision to eliminate ‍the 40-year rule”

At a press conference held at the Nuclear Regulatory⁢ Authority (Regulatory Commission Secretariat) to mark his retirement, Mr. Ishiwata was asked what he thought when he opposed the⁢ “over 60 ‌year” policy, and he replied, “The basis of the Atomic Energy Act, the Reactor Regulators ‌Act (Nuclear Reactor Regulatory Act)), I took office (as a‍ regulatory commissioner) because I ‍thought my mission was to protect the law.”

Nuclear power plants have been operating for over 60 ‌years

The ‌GX (Green Transformation) Decarbonized ⁣Power Supply Act,⁤ which came into ‌effect ⁣in May 2023, removes​ the period suspended due to ⁣the regulatory commission’s review⁢ from the “principle 40 years, maximum‌ 60 ‌years” operating period for nuclear power plants. This paved the way for more than 60 years of operation.

Special Treatment for Tsuruga Unit 2: “No”

For Unit ⁢2 of the ⁣Tsuruga Nuclear Power Plant, Ishiwatari led ⁢a review team that studied the effects of earthquakes and tsunamis and examined whether there was a possibility that an active fault that could cause a major earthquake could⁤ pass directly under the reactor.

Akira Ishiwata’s Opening Remarks and Key Questions and Answers from the Press Conference

“The last‍ 10 years have been a period of study in a new ⁢field for me (as a geologist). The mission of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority is clearly stated in the document (2013).⁤ The philosophy of the organization (established on ‌January 9, 2017) is written in ‌the philosophy ​of‌ the organization, and the ‍first ‌principle of activity to realize it is “to work independently from the scientific and technological​ point of view without being constrained by anything else”.”

Self-assessment‍ in the‌ last 10 years

“Over ​the past 10 years, we have held more than 1,100‌ review meetings. ⁤During this period, 12 nuclear reactors have received operating permits. It was concluded that one ⁤reactor (the Tsuruga Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 2) ⁢is not certified to meet the new regulatory standards. Now, nine more are being reviewed.”

Majority voting is an instrument of democracy, we‌ do not deny it

“Majority rule is an important‍ tool ⁢for democracy and there⁢ is nothing against it.”