a new law that limits the life of nuclear reactors to 40 years

The Japanese government wants to pass a new law that limits the life of nuclear reactors to 40 years.Nuclear crisis minister Goshi Hosono on Friday announced a review of nuclear safety regulations following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The proposed 40-year limit is included in new draft regulations on nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel material.According to the draft, the government will not allow reactors to operate for more than 40 years, but may grant extensions on request.Extensions will be subject to government checks on the obsolescence of the facility, and the plant operator's capacity to provide appropriate maintenance.This is the first time for the government to try to regulate the lifespan of nuclear plants.Hosono said the government will also revise safety standards against earthquakes, tsunami and other disasters with new knowledge and technology in protective measures and require power companies to comply with new standards.The government will submit the legislation to the ordinary session of the Diet by the end of this month at the earliest, ahead of the planned launch of a new nuclear safety agency in April.