FUKUSHIMA, Japan Feb. 26 Kyodo - Fukushima Gov. Eisaku Sato told the prefectural assembly on Monday that the prefecture will not agree to the use of uranium and plutonium mixed oxide fuel (MOX) at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

Sato said, ''It is unlikely MOX fuel will be delivered and used for the time being.''

Commenting on the governor's statement, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), which operates the power plant, said the company ''will conduct the plan with the understanding of local residents.''

Sato's statement is likely to affect TEPCO's plan to start using MOX fuel in the NO. 3 reactor of the nuclear power plant from April. This will also affect the national policy on the nuclear fuel cycle.

Sato has maintained a cautious stance on acceptance of MOX fuel, on the grounds that the people of the prefecture are against it.

TEPCO announced earlier this month it had decided to suspend construction of new power plants for three to five years.

After TEPCO's announcement, Sato said it is necessary for the government to review its energy policy, including the use of MOX fuel. ''We have to take time for about a year to decide what to do with it,'' he said.

MOX, a pelletized mixture of uranium dioxide and plutonium dioxide, is designed to be burned in light-water reactors in a practice known as plutonium thermal use. Plutonium is obtained by reprocessing the spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants.

Fast-breeder reactors were once expected to carry the main thrust of Japan's nuclear fuel cycle policy. However, after the 1995 fire at the prototype fast-breeder reactor Monju in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, the government placed the plutonium thermal use at the center of the nuclear fuel cycle policy.

TEPCO is also planning to start using MOX fuel at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture. Kansai Electric Power Co. intends to do the same at its Takahama nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture. Both plants are on the coast of Sea of Japan.