The process of removing nuclear fuel from the reactor of Sendai Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, was opened to the media on June 24.

Sendai Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 is currently undergoing regular inspections and is approaching its 40th year of operation.

S/ NNN reporter: Here at the back is the reactor vessel containing the fuel used to generate energy. Each fuel assembly inside will be removed one by one and inspected for any abnormalities.

The reactor contains 157 assemblies of nuclear fuel, each approximately 4 meters long, and weighing 700 kilograms.

Using underwater cameras, inspections are conducted to check for any deformations or damage.

Between one-quarter and one-third of the fuel assemblies will be replaced with new ones, and if the inspections proceed smoothly, operations are expected to resume on August 29.

S/ Maekawa Hiroaki, Sendai Nuclear Power Plant: It is a very important process for starting power generation and ensuring safe and stable operation, so we want to proceed with each inspection carefully.

The Sendai Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 will reach its 40-year operational period on July 3, after which it will enter a 20-year extension of operation.