Industrial Safety Agency concluded in February that the reactor is clear for a test run
– By Linton Levy –
Hiroshi Aida, the mayor of Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, showed willingness Wednesday to approve the resumption of the No. 7 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, which has been suspended since a major earthquake in July 2007.
"I believe the safety (of the reactor) has been confirmed," Aida told a press conference. He will meet with Niigata Gov. Hirohiko Izumida and Kariwa Mayor Hiroo Shinada soon for the approval.
The No. 7 reactor has been suspended along with other reactors at the plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency concluded in February that the reactor is clear for a test run after examining the power company's plan and inspection data, prompting Tokyo Electric Power to seek approval in the same month for the resumption from the local authorities.