Asia-Pacific

Japan nuke power plants to undergo stress tests

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-07-06 13:32

TOKYO - The Japanese trade minister says the government is looking at conducting stress tests on the country's nuclear power plants to quell heightened concerns about their safety.

The March 11 earthquake and tsunami triggered the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl. The power company that operates the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant has come under heavy criticism for failing to sufficiently prepare for the natural disasters.

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda said Wednesday that all 54 reactors will undergo additional safety checks to gauge the facilities' defenses against major calamities like earthquakes.