06 July 2011, Prime Minister Kan Naoto has ordered those in the government, who’re in charge of nuclear reactor safety, to create new rules.  Kan says the numerous and growing complaints from the people have made it clear a new system of rules for reactor start ups need to be created.  Many prefectures are refusing to allow reactors to be re-started.  Gee, I would’ve thought it was the fact that the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is still ongoing.

Under current rules the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, and the Industry Minister, decide when it is safe to start up a reactor.

Prime Minister Kan wants the new rules to include stress tests, and be in compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Kasai Akira, of the opposition Communist Party, pointed out that it is useless to create new rules when local prefectures have the right to override those rules, as they are in not allowing reactors to re-start.