Japan's minister in charge of nuclear accidents said Sunday that the government is aiming to put together a plan for a new nuclear power watchdog in early August and to have it up and running in April.
The plan would combine the Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan and the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, after separating the agency from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Goshi Hosono said on an NHK TV program.
As the ministry is also responsible for promoting nuclear energy, questions have been raised about NISA's ability to fulfill its role as industry regulator.
The government's radiation measuring unit, currently under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, would also be integrated into the new nuclear regulatory body, Hosono said.
