Japan made a step toward to restarting idled nuclear reactors as four power companies filed applications today for safety assessments of 10 suspended units.

The move came after stricter regulations took effect under the newly formed Nuclear Regulation Authority, two years and four months after the nation’s worst nuclear disaster.

Regulators said it would take about six months process to each application.

All of Japan’s 50 nuclear reactors were shut down due to maintenance and repairs after the March 2011 meltdowns at Fukushima.

Two were restarted a year ago despite public opposition.

Nuclear-generated electricity made up about 30 per cent of Japan’s output before the disaster. Power companies have faced mounting costs of fuel imports for thermal power generation.

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