Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has approved draft articles for new standards for the operation of nuclear power stations. They were first presented in January and are to take effect in July this year.
The standards cover the construction of seawalls that can withstand large tsunamis as well as secondary control rooms that can manage cooling operations from a remote location.
The government will implement the standards by July 18. It will also oblige plant operators hoping to restart reactors to devise stricter measures to guard against damage to cores and containment buildings that could result from natural disasters or terrorist attacks.
The standards will also require power companies to have seawalls able to withstand the "largest-possible tsunami" and to install fire-resistant cables.
Even if no active fault has been found under the site of a nuclear power station, operators will be required to conduct thorough studies of a site's underground structure and assess the possible impact earthquakes could have on their nuclear plants.
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