Monju reactor inspected by nuclear authority

Officials from Japan's nuclear watchdog are conducting an onsite investigation into the Monju nuclear reactor. They are checking up on unreliable safety reports from the operator. The government intended the Monju prototype fast-breeder reactor to form a part of Japan's nuclear-fuel recycling system. But the reactor suffered a series of problems, including a leakage of its coolant, sodium, in 1995. Eight Nuclear Regulation Authority officials visited the facility on Thursday to go through documents and interview personnel. Monju lies in Fukui Prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The investigation comes after the officials found some inspection lapses on key safety equipment in the past month. They had pointed out as many as 9,800 irregularities in the reactor's management, including missed checkups. Investigator Yasushi Morishita said on Thursday that the operator's report failed to clearly state who did what. He said that it's a very serious matter that the Watchdog has to conduct an onsite investigation. The Monju reactor is currently offline. But the operator is maintaining basic functions in case it is allowed back online in the future.

Nuclear test draws public criticism

Atomic-bomb survivors in Nagasaki have protested against North Korea's nuclear test, saying nothing justifies the denial of global efforts to abolish nuclear arms and achieve peace. Five groups in the city issued a joint statement at a news conference on Tuesday. One of the groups' leaders said it is insanity to conduct a nuclear test. He said the atomic-bomb survivors will continue sending the message to the world that it is wrong to conduct nuclear tests and to possess nuclear weapons. Another leader called for North Korea and other countries to hold peaceful talks, saying that threats solve nothing. Criticism is also coming from South Korea. A young man there called the test an unethical act, adding that South Korea should enact sanctions against the North. Another man said the North may have been trying to threaten the South during a change of power, as President-elect Park Geun-hye is scheduled to be sworn in later this month. A group of retired soldiers held a rally in Seoul. The participants chanted a slogan criticizing the North's leadership, and burned the North Korean flag. But there are also deep-rooted concerns about the test's impact on bilateral relations. A woman called for a continued inter-Korean dialogue.

Japan's rare Miyako pony breed gives birth to foal

A farmer on Miyako Island is celebrating the birth of a foal, which is one of the most endangered horse breeds native to Japan. This rare breed of pony is native to Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Akihiro Nikadori owns a farm in Miyakojima City. On Saturday morning he found a newly-born female foal beside his 10-year-old mare, Mirei. The foal instinctively snuggled up against her mother and began suckling. Miyako horses were traditionally used for agriculture. However, their numbers continued to decline as farming became more mechanized. The breed is believed to have the smallest population among horses indigenous to Japan. It has been designated by Okinawa Prefecture as a natural treasure. With this latest birth, the number of Miyako ponies now stands at 35