UPDATE 1-Japan nuclear utility says no special precautions over volcano

Source: Reuters

Japanese utility Kyushu Electric Power said on Monday that it was monitoring activity at a volcano near its Sendai nuclear plant, but did not need to take any special precautions after authorities warned of the risk of a larger-than-usual eruption.

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The precautions by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority for volcanic eruptions were "wanting in a number of important respects" and did not meet international standards, said John Large, chief executive of Large & Associates, a nuclear engineering consultancy.

Large wrote a report this year on the Sendai plant's ability to withstand being hit by volcanic ash and has testified in court about the issue.

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"With Kyushu's volcanoes clearly more active, Sendai should be shut immediately," said Aileen Mioko Smith, executive director at activist group, Green Action, claiming there was no viable evacuation plan for the plant.

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Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/08/17/japan-nuclear-volcano-graphics-picturesu-idUKL3N10S2UN20150817