Plans for a new nuclear plant at Kaminoseki in the Yamaguchi prefecture have been approved by the electric power panel of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry. The new prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, is expected to give the final approval for the two 1373MWe advanced boiling water reactors. The local residents have given their consent for the project, which is due to start in 2007. A spokesman at Chugoku Electric, main contractors for the plant, said the total costs are estimated at 300 billion yen ($6.5 billion).
