Amid uncertainty about long-term energy policy, Japanese imports of fossil fuels continue to rise as utilities secure supplies of coal and liquefied natural gas.

Plans for the construction of a protective cover over the damaged reactor building of Fukushima Daiichi unit 3 have been announced by Tokyo Electric Power Company.

The Japan Nuclear Safety Institute has been launched to improve the safety of Japan's nuclear industry by sharing operating experience and safety knowledge among the country's nuclear companies.

Only two months after the Japanese government revealed its long-term intention to eventually end nuclear power production, the announcement of a general election has effectively placed development of the country's energy policy on hold.

Costs related to clean-up efforts of low-level waste from the Fukushima accident could double the previous liability estimate, Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) suggested. The utility is seeking additional government funds to help meet these costs.

Fuel racks in the pool of Fukushima Daiichi 3 appear undamaged, despite impact by debris including large parts of a 35-tonne fuel handling machine over 18 months ago.

An investigation is underway into the internal conditions of the primary containment vessel of the reactor at unit 1 at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Tokyo Electric Power Company said that the water level in the vessel has been found to be higher than previously estimated.

Chugoku Electric Power Co requested an extension to its licence for carrying out groundwork at the site of its planned Kaminoseki nuclear power plant in Yamaguchi prefecture. Although rejected, the move suggests the company still hopes to move forward with the project, despite the Japanese government recently saying that no new nuclear power plant construction projects would be approved.

Japan's newly established Nuclear Regulation Authority aims to have a new safety legal framework in place by July 2013 to enable the country's idled nuclear power reactors to restart. However, it is currently unclear who will ultimately be responsible for authorizing restarts.

The Japan Electric Power Development Corp (J-Power) will resume construction of the Ohma nuclear power plant in Aomori prefecture. It will be the first Japanese nuclear construction project to restart since all such projects were suspended following the Fukushima accident.

A steel beam slipped into the fuel pond of Fukushima Daiichi 3 during an operation to remove tonnes of debris. Engineers confirmed by inspection that no damage was caused.