Kyodo News reported that the operator of a nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, shut down a reactor on the morning of May 3 after detecting a steam leak near a high-pressure turbine.
According to the announcement, the incident occurred at one of the plant's units. Upon detecting the leak, the operating team activated safety protocols and stopped the reactor for inspection. Plant officials stated the incident caused no injuries, no risk of radiation leakage into the environment, and the cause is under investigation.
This marks the second time in recent months that a nuclear reactor in Fukui Prefecture has experienced an incident. In February 2025, another reactor was also shut down due to a coolant water leak.
Fukui Prefecture hosts the highest concentration of nuclear power plants in Japan, with 14 reactors. Since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, the country's nuclear safety regulations have been significantly tightened. This incident may raise concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants in Japan, which are being restored to operation to ensure energy supply.
