Key Facts
• August 27, 2025: Fukuoka High Court upholds 2019 ruling rejecting permit revocation.
• 30 residents from Kagoshima filed the lawsuit citing insufficient volcanic risk assessment.
• Court ruled safety standards were reasonable with no significant errors in judgment.
• Sendai Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2 deemed compliant with new regulatory standards.
• Experts criticized the ruling for insufficient consideration of catastrophic volcanic risks.
• Administrative law expert questioned if nuclear safety measures met higher required standards.
Summary
The Fukuoka High Court dismissed an appeal on August 27, 2025, to revoke the operational permit for the Sendai Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2 in Kagoshima Prefecture. The lawsuit, filed by 30 local residents, argued that the government’s approval failed to adequately assess volcanic risks. The court upheld a 2019 lower court ruling, stating that the safety standards were reasonable and free of critical errors. Experts expressed concerns over the decision, highlighting the unpredictable nature of volcanic eruptions and the need for stricter safety measures for nuclear facilities. Questions remain about whether the ruling sufficiently addressed the higher safety standards mandated for nuclear plants.
