Weapons-grade plutonium used

TOKYO: A Japanese nuclear power plant yesterday started using recycled mixed-oxide or MOX fuel from a controversial shipment from France that arrived in the country amid protests in May.

A reactor at the Genkai nuclear plant in western Saga prefecture was activated after being loaded with MOX, a blend of plutonium and reprocessed uranium, said a spokesman for the plant's operator.

The 1.18-million-kilowatt reactor is expected to reach the state of nuclear chain reaction overnight and generate power from Monday, said the operator, Kyushu Electric Power Co, one of three that ordered the MOX.