TEPCO edges closer to restart of quake-hit reactor

TOKYO, April 7 (Reuters) - A prefectural governor suggested on Tuesday that he backs the restart of the No.7 nuclear reactor at the quake-shut Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in northwest Japan, which could pave the way for long-awaited local consent soon for the plant, which has been closed since July 2007.

The comments by Niigata Prefecture Governor Hirohiko Izumida came after a local prefectural panel of experts submitted a report that anti-quake safety has been secured at the No.7 unit, in line with the central government's findings in February.

"I feel that safety, which is a prerequisite for resuming the operations, has largely been secured," he told reporters in Niigata, according to a prefectural official.

Izumida has said he would make a decision on the restart based on the panel's findings.

With the submission of the report, the heads of the three local governments, the Niigata governor, Kashiwazaki Mayor Hiroshi Aida and Kariwa Mayor Hiroo Shinada, are expected to meet again to discuss whether to give final approval for restarting the No.7 unit, although no date has been fixed.

Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) (9501.T) sought local approval in February for restarting the No.7 unit at the Niigata prefecture-based plant. The restart had been temporarily put on hold after a March fire at the plant, which occurred at the separate No.1 reactor. (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Michael Watson)