Kyushu Electric Power Co (Kepco) has received local approval for its plan to burn MOX fuel in Unit 3 of the Genkai in Saga Prefecture.
Both Genkai mayor Tsukasa Terada and Saga governor Yasushi Furukawa gave approval to the Kepco plan which, if successful, will ultimately see the MOX fuel rolled out for use at 16-18 reactors nationwide by 2010.
The government is providing special financial support for local governments that accept a MOX plan by the end of the year.