Japan anticipates green light for nuclear plants

摘要

Japan is edging closer to launching its controversial nuclear-fuel recycling system; the first local approval for a power plant using recycled mixed-oxide fuel (MOX) looks almost certain. The Japanese government decided in 1997 to promote the use of MOX - a mix of pluto-nium and uranium produced by recycling spent nuclear fuel. But progress in adopting the fuel has been slow, due to a fatal accident at a nuclear power reactor, scandals involving falsified inspection data, and strong resistance from local people over safety concerns.