Unit four of Ohi nuclear power plant in Japan restarted its commercial operations on Tuesday, according to operator Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO).

The return to commercial operations started after the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) issued pre-service inspection certificates of completion and certificates for periodic outage inspection of the facilities.

'We would like to carefully work on the operation and maintenance of the plant putting top priority to safety while encouraging both our employees and contractors to renew their firm determination to contribute to consistent improvement of nuclear safety,' President and Director Shigeki Iwane was quoted as saying.

After Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant was hit by a tsunami in 2011, leading to a meltdown, the country shut down its nuclear reactors for safety inspections amid intense public demand for the revision of the country's energy policies.

'We are committed to exerting every possible effort to gain more trust and understanding in the importance and safety of nuclear power generation from members of the public while making steady steps forward to achieve and maintain safe plant operation of Ohi Unit No. 3 and No. 4,' Iwane added.

After the 2011 disaster, Japan's parliament created the independent NRA, which developed new safety guidelines, deemed to be the strictest in the world.

By Huseyin Erdogan

Anadolu Agency

energy@aa.com.tr