Some 90% of Japanese small- and medium-sized enterprises think their business would be adversely affected by any future increases in electricity prices, a survey by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry has found. Restarting the country's nuclear power plants is seen as one way of reducing prices.

Two units at the Takahama nuclear power plant have moved one step closer to restarting following final approval by the Japanese regulator of changes in the reactor installations. They become the third and fourth reactors in Japan to gain such permission.

Tepco hopes to gain a greater understanding of the location of the molten fuel in unit 1 of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi with the installation of a muon detection system. A shape-changing robot will also soon be deployed to explore within the unit's reactor.

The restart of two of Japan's idled nuclear reactors has moved a step closer after Kansai Electric Power Company submitted amendments to its work plans for approval by the country's nuclear regulator.

Operations have resumed at all three of Tokyo Electric Power Company's (Tepco's) nuclear power plants in Japan following the deaths of two contractors last month in industrial accidents. The company has introduced measures to improve worker safety at its sites.

A scenario with 25% nuclear power would best suit Japan's policy goals, according to the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ). In the time to 2030 it would be cheaper than a non-nuclear scenario and would help the country return to a positive trade balance.

The interim storage of contaminated soil and other wastes generated by decontamination efforts at Japan's damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant and surrounding area will begin in March, the environment ministry has said.

Japan has submitted its instrument of acceptance to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage - an important international instrument relating to liability and compensation for damage caused by a nuclear accident - triggering its entry into force.

A new centre will develop and test remote-controlled equipment for use in decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant while boosting the local economy in Fukushima prefecture.

The New Year will likely bring a sea change to the international regime of financial protection for nuclear incidents, writes James A. Glasgow, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop.

Tepco has completed a major program of clean-up at Fukushima Daiichi - the removal of all nuclear fuel from unit 4. President and CEO of the company Naomi Hirose paid respect to the "skill and commitment of Tepco engineers and workers at every level".

Units 3 and 4 of Kansai Electric Power Company's Takahama nuclear power plant meet new safety standards, according to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority.