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Press Release (Mar 24,2008)
Plant Life Management at the Unit No. 4 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Our Unit No. 4 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Boiling Water Reactor; 
rated output of 784,000 kW) began its commercial operation in October, 1978 and 
has been operating for 29 years as of October 12th, 2007.
On October 11th, 2007, we submitted reports on "Plant Life Management*2" and 
"Long-Term Maintenance Plan*3" for this Unit to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and 
Industry based on the Rules of Installment and Operations of Commercial Nuclear Reactors*1.

Following the on-site inspection by the central government, we resubmitted the 
reports with the revision complying with the inspection notes on March 7th, 2008. 
Today, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released the examination 
results on "Plant Life Management" and "Long-Term Maintenance Plan".

We will appropriately implement the Long-Term Maintenance Plan for the next 10 years 
in addition to the regular maintenance activities for the maintenance and management 
of the mentioned Unit based on the reports reviewed by the central government.
We will continue with ongoing improvement efforts, accumulating operating experience 
and enhancing the knowledge base so that they can be reflected to the Long-Term 
Maintenance Plan.

Appendix: Overview of Plant Life Management and Long-Term Maintenance Planning for the 
          Unit 4 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant(PDF 226KB)

*1: Rules of Installment and Operations of Commercial Nuclear Reactors
    It is mandated that a technical assessment on aging effect on important equipment 
    and structures for nuclear safety (Plant Life Management) be completed before the 
    30th anniversary of the beginning of the commercial operation date of nuclear plants 
    and that a 10-year action plan to maintain the reactor facilities (Long-Term 
    Maintenance Plan) be drawn up based on the "Rules for Installment and Operations of 
    Commercial Nuclear Reactors."
    In addition, the "Guideline for Implementing Plant Life Management of Commercial 
    Nuclear Reactors (June 2007)" requires utilities to submit the Plant Life Management 
    report and Long-Term Maintenance Plan to the central government between the anniversary 
    dates of 28 years and 29 years of commercial operation date of the nuclear reactor.

*2: Plant Life Management
    It identifies potential aging effects on safety-significant equipment and structures 
    of nuclear power plants and conducts technical assessment of their soundness, as well 
    as identifying further events to be added and reporting the results when needed. 
    These assessments need to be revisited within 10 years. 

*3: Long-Term Maintenance Plan
    A specific plan identifying the coverage, methods and schedule for the items to be 
    added to the ongoing maintenance activities in the next 10 years based on the results 
    of Plant Life Management.
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