In a significant development, a Japanese court dismissed a complaint seeking the closure of Shikoku Electric Power’s Ikata No.3 reactor. This marks the initial formal ruling in the ongoing legal battle concerning the nuclear facility located in western Japan, as reported by NHK on Thursday.
The verdict from the Oita District Court is a setback for local residents expressing concerns about the potential risks associated with natural disasters. The decision allows the 30-year-old, 890-megawatt active reactor to continue its operations.
Shikoku Electric Power had previously encountered two court injunctions in 2017 and 2020, both aiming to halt the reactor’s functioning. However, higher courts subsequently overturned both orders, permitting the continuation of the reactor’s operation.
