Toshiba Corp is now the sole owner of NuGeneration (NuGen) after completing the acquisition of French utility Engie's 40% share in the UK nuclear power plant developer yesterday. The Japanese electronics conglomerate received notice from Engie on 4 April that it had exercised its right to require Toshiba to purchase all shares held by Engie in NuGen.

Japan's cabinet last week approved the draft Basic Concept on Nuclear Energy Use developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Commission. The concept - which will guide the country's future nuclear energy policy - calls for the promotion of the benefits of nuclear energy while minimising the risks of its use.

The nuclear cooperation agreement signed between India and Japan last November entered into force yesterday with the exchange of diplomatic notes. The agreement opens the door for India to import Japanese nuclear technology.

UPDATED Tokyo Electric Power Company has confirmed the presence of what could be melted fuel and fallen debris within the lower part of the flooded primary containment vessel of unit 3 at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan. Similar surveys using robots have already been carried out at units 1 and 2 of the plant.

Two ships carrying mixed oxide (MOX) fuel yesterday departed from the French port of Cherbourg en route to Japan. It is the sixth such shipment of MOX fuel from Europe to Japan.

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has approved a plan to decommission unit 1 of Shikoku Electric Power Company's Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime prefecture. The reactor was due to end its 40-year operating period in September this year and could have applied to the NRA to extend its licence for a further 20 years if it invested in upgrade work.

Japan's Toshiba Corporation has been granted an extension to the deadline for the submission of its audited earnings results for the 2016 financial year, which ended on 31 March. At the same time, the company has slightly revised its annual loss estimate.

The basic plan for decommissioning Japan's Monju prototype fast breeder reactor has been officially adopted by the government-appointed team to oversee the task. According to the plan, decommissioning of Monju is expected to take 30 years to complete.

An underwater robot has been developed to inspect the flooded primary containment vessel of unit 3 at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan. The robot is expected to be deployed in the coming months, following the training of operators.

A court in Japan has dismissed a request for an injunction against the restart of units 3 and 4 of Kyushu Electric Power Company's Genkai nuclear power plant in Saga Prefecture. The court sided with the utility in deciding the units are safe to operate.

Hitachi has stressed the importance to its UK nuclear business of a "one team" project management structure based on collaboration between three companies. Hitachi, which acquired Horizon Nuclear Power in 2012 as a wholly owned subsidiary, is partnering with US and Japanese engineering firms Bechtel and JGC.

Kansai Electric Power Company has decided to operate unit 3 of the Mihama nuclear power plant in Japan's Fukui Prefecture beyond 40 years. The company has drawn up a plan for safety improvement works at the unit, which has already received regulatory approval to operate for a further 20 years.