Japan's Cabinet approves new nuclear agency

Japan's Cabinet approved a plan Monday to set up by April next year a new agency in charge of nuclear safety under the Environment Ministry in the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, as a key pillar of the country''s basic policy on improving nuclear safety regulation. The new entity will integrate the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, the Cabinet Office''s Nuclear Safety Commission, and the radiation and other environmental monitoring functions from the science ministry, according to Japan''s (Kyodo) News Agency. Goshi Hosono, minister in charge of the nuclear crisis, told a news conference after the Cabinet approval that work to prepare for drastic reforms will begin promptly with a preliminary panel to be created as early as within the month. (QNA) SHM/LY