Goshi Hosono, state minister in charge of preventing further atomic power plant accidents, revealed Friday a proposal to fold nuclear-related functions now scattered among different ministries into a new authority.
Tentatively called Genshiryoku Anzencho, or the Nuclear Safety Agency, it would combine the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, the Cabinet Office's Nuclear Safety Commission and a radiation monitoring section within the science and technology ministry.
Under Hosono's proposal, the new agency will be separated from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which promotes nuclear power, and given more independence.