Japan plans to carry out stress tests on nuclear power plants across the country to reassure the public, especially those living near the installations, Industry Minister Banri Kaieda said Wednesday, according to dpa. The measures will test the plant's ability to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, and are to be carried out in addition to conventional safety inspections. They could cause further delays in restarting the reactors, as hosting communities wait for the outcome of the tests before giving their approval, reports said. The move is part of the government's efforts to persuade citizens to accept the restarting of a number of reactors throughout the country that have been suspended for inspection since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Radioactive material has been released from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 250 kilometres north-east of Tokyo, ever since it was hit by the disaster, forcing tens of thousands of residents to leave the area.
