The Nuclear Regulation Authority on Wednesday officially ruled the No. 2 reactor of Japan Atomic Power's Tsuruga nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture is noncompliant with the country's new safety standards, following a public comment period.

The NRA in August adopted a draft screening report concluding that the Tsuruga No. 2 reactor did not meet the safety standards after a screening process taking nearly nine years.

Although the official decision makes the nuclear reactor's restart virtually impossible, it is technically possible for Japan Atomic Power to reapply to bring the reactor back online. The operator has indicated that it will submit a reapplication after conducting an additional investigation.