Japan okays stress tests on two nuclear reactors

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Japan okays stress tests on two nuclear reactors

The Associated Press Published Monday, February 13, 2012 7:04AM EST

In this Jan. 26, 2012 file photo, Kansai Electric Power Co's Ohi nuclear power plant No. 3, right, and No. 4 reactors are seen in Ohi, Fukui prefecture, western Japan. (AP / Shizuo Kambayashi, File)

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TOKYO - Japan has cleared the way to restart two idled nuclear reactors in coming months for the first time since last year's Fukushima crisis. The move comes after officials gave them passing marks on a set of "stress tests."

Only three of Japan's 54 reactors are operating now. Authorities ordered all reactors shut down to undergo the special tests to check for their ability to withstand disasters like the massive earthquake and tsunami that caused the Fukushima crisis.

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said in a report Monday that the operator of the two Ohi reactors in western Fukui prefecture has taken sufficient steps to prevent severe damage from disasters.

Restarting the two reactors may still take a few months.