The Nuclear Regulation Authority has disclosed an outline of new safety standards for nuclear power plants. They include obligatory measures to cope with a large-scale natural disaster and terrorist attacks.
Currently these measures are taken voluntarily by nuclear power plant operators. After listening to opinions from the public, the NRA will enforce the new standards from July. It is imperative that power companies strictly follow them.
It is deplorable that the power industry has already voiced complaints about the new standards. The industry objects to the large sums of money required over a long period of time to meet the standards. To prevent a catastrophe like the one at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 plant, the NRA should reject any moves to weaken the new standards.
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