NY Times update on Japan restartsThe New York Times has a good report on the progress of reactor restarts in Japan. Bottom line: despite powerful misgivings in the population, the first regulatory approvals could come in May or June, and the first mandatory local approvals could follow quite quickly (largely because the economic benefits to local communities will gradually prevail over the fear of another Fukushima). Thus, the first restarts may coincide with peak summer demand for electricity.
For anyone following the issue, the article provides good insight into both the politics and economics of the issue - three years out from Fukushima.
Headline: Warily Leading Japan’s Nuclear Reawakening
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/21/world/asia/warily-leading-japans-nuclear-reawakening.html?_r=0