A delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency visited Kansai Electric Power Co's Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture on Thursday to inspect its two reactors, which have been idled for regular checks and are waiting for approval to restart.
The IAEA team is tasked with reviewing the adequacy of Japan's safety tests for nuclear power plants in the wake of the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, triggered by the March disaster.
Utilities are required to conduct computer simulation-based safety tests, or so-called stress test, to check how well their systems to protect fuel rods can withstand earthquakes, tsunamis and the loss of power.
The IAEA inspection of the Oi plant's Nos 3 and 4 reactors came after Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency compiled a draft report endorsing the results of first-stage safety tests submitted by Kansai Electric.
After receiving the IAEA's review, the agency will finalize its report on the two reactors in February at the earliest and have it checked by the Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and relevant ministers will then judge whether to approve the reactors' restart.