Japan quake-hit plant needs months to restart

TOKYO, Aug 10 (Reuters) It could take months or longer for an earthquake-damaged nuclear power plant in northwest Japan to restart operations, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency said TOday, without giving a firm date.

''This is one of the tasks in the following months, year, I don't know, to be carried out if this plant is to be restarted,'' Philippe Jamet, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Nuclear Installation Safety division, said of safety checks for the plant.

Jamet headed a six-member IAEA team which inspected the quake-hit plant run by Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) this week amid worries among local residents and authorities after damage and leaks of radioactive material in the July 16 quake.

REUTERS AK DS1057