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.