IAEA inspects safety drill at Japan's Ohi nuclear plant

A team from the International Atomic Energy Agency has observed a safety drill at the Ohi nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture, along the Sea of Japan coast. The 10-member IAEA team is trying to judge the effectiveness of safety measures at Kansai Electric Power Company. The firm carried out stress tests with the aim of restarting 2 of the plant''s reactors, Japan''s NHK website reported. Team leader James Lyons said before the Thursday''s inspection that they will check the steps taken by the plant operator. The team then watched workers connect wires from an emergency power generator placed on higher ground than the plant''s main electric circuitry. This scenario is based on the idea that external power has been cut off, as happened the accident in Fukushima. In results of the stress tests submitted to the government last year, Kansai Electric claims the No.3 and No.4 reactors at the Ohi plant could withstand a tsunami 4 times the height projected by experts, or more than 11 meters. Last week, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said the tests were appropriate. The IAEA team plans to compile a report on its findings, including advice for Japan, on Tuesday next week.