Change in perception of people towards information about exceeding 40 years of operation for nuclear power plants

We conducted a group interview survey for 63 persons living in urban areas of the Kansai region to understand the change in their perception of information about operations exceeding 40 years for nuclear power plants. The participants were given information descriptions for exceeding 40 years of plant operation that had been prepared by the national government and electric power companies. Before hearing the explanation about the information, we found that only a few participants were concerned about it, but no one knew the detailed contents. For the question "Do you think the nuclear plant can be operated for over 40 years?" we found 22 persons (35%) among 63 persons held opinions saying that "more than 40 years of operation may be allowed". However, after hearing the explanation and a brief Q&A session about it, the number increased to 41 persons (65%). After the explanation, among the 19 persons who changed their opinion that "more than 40 years of operation may be allowed", the reason for thinking so was that 11 persons thought that "maintenance is being performed". There is a possibility that urban residents had not known the facts about performing maintenance for nuclear power plants so that they can be operated by daily inspections and regular inspections of about one year intervals, in addition, to special inspections confirming that the durability of important facilities for safety could be assured even for an operating period of 60 years. (author)