Japan’s nuclear watchdog disqualifies a reactor for the first time since Fukushima disaster

Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s nuclear watchdog has formally disqualified a reactor in the country’s north-central region from starting. It’s the first rejection under safety standards that were reinforced after the 2011 Fukushima disaster and a setback as Japan seeks to accelerate reactor restarts to maximize nuclear power. The Nuclear Regulation Authority said Wednesday the Tsuruga No. 2 reactor is “unfit” as its operator failed to address safety risks stemming from the presence of possible active fault lines, which can potentially cause earthquakes, underneath it.