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Japan Closes Last Nuclear Reactor
The third reactor at the Tomari plant, in Hokkaido prefecture, is shutting down for routine maintenance
Japan is switching off its last working nuclear reactor, as part of the safety drive since the March 2011 tsunami triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima plant.
The third reactor at the Tomari plant, in Hokkaido prefecture, is shutting down for routine maintenance.
It leaves Japan without energy from atomic power for the first time for more than 40 years, reports the BBC.
Until last year, Japan got 30% of its power from nuclear energy.
Hundreds of people marched through Tokyo, waving banners to celebrate what they hope will be the end of nuclear power in Japan.
Since the Fukushima disaster, all the country's reactors have been shut down for routine maintenance. They must withstand tests against earthquakes and tsunamis, and local authorities must give their consent in order for plants to restart.
So far, none have.
Two reactors at the Ohi plant in western Japan have been declared safe. The government says they should be restarted to combat looming shortages.
However, regional authorities would still have to give their approval.
Ministers have warned Japan faces a summer of power shortages.
The BBC's Roland Buerk, in Tokyo, says the government could force the issue, but so far has been reluctant to move against public opinion.
Organisers of the anti-nuclear march in the capital estimated turnout at 5,500.
Demonstrators carried banners shaped as giant fish. The "Koinobori" banners, traditionally the symbol of Children's Day, have been adopted by the anti-nuclear movement.
"There are so many nuclear plants, but not a single one will be up and running today, and that's because of our efforts," campaigner Masashi Ishikawa told the crowd.
Engineers began the process of shutting down the final Tomari reactor, inserting control rods to bring the fission process to an end.
All operations at the plant will have stopped by 14:00 GMT, a spokesman told Associated Press.
Japan will then be without nuclear power for the first time since 1970.
Japan Closes Last Nuclear Reactor, Articles | THISDAY LIVE
Let's not forget Nukes are no toys to play around with and NR are no vending machines.
The third reactor at the Tomari plant, in Hokkaido prefecture, is shutting down for routine maintenance
Japan is switching off its last working nuclear reactor, as part of the safety drive since the March 2011 tsunami triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima plant.
The third reactor at the Tomari plant, in Hokkaido prefecture, is shutting down for routine maintenance.
It leaves Japan without energy from atomic power for the first time for more than 40 years, reports the BBC.
Until last year, Japan got 30% of its power from nuclear energy.
Hundreds of people marched through Tokyo, waving banners to celebrate what they hope will be the end of nuclear power in Japan.
Since the Fukushima disaster, all the country's reactors have been shut down for routine maintenance. They must withstand tests against earthquakes and tsunamis, and local authorities must give their consent in order for plants to restart.
So far, none have.
Two reactors at the Ohi plant in western Japan have been declared safe. The government says they should be restarted to combat looming shortages.
However, regional authorities would still have to give their approval.
Ministers have warned Japan faces a summer of power shortages.
The BBC's Roland Buerk, in Tokyo, says the government could force the issue, but so far has been reluctant to move against public opinion.
Organisers of the anti-nuclear march in the capital estimated turnout at 5,500.
Demonstrators carried banners shaped as giant fish. The "Koinobori" banners, traditionally the symbol of Children's Day, have been adopted by the anti-nuclear movement.
"There are so many nuclear plants, but not a single one will be up and running today, and that's because of our efforts," campaigner Masashi Ishikawa told the crowd.
Engineers began the process of shutting down the final Tomari reactor, inserting control rods to bring the fission process to an end.
All operations at the plant will have stopped by 14:00 GMT, a spokesman told Associated Press.
Japan will then be without nuclear power for the first time since 1970.
Japan Closes Last Nuclear Reactor, Articles | THISDAY LIVE
Last of Japan's 50 reactors goes offline for checks | News | DW.DE | 05.05.2012Anti-nuclear protest in Tokyo
In Tokyo on Saturday, just hours ahead of the scheduled Tomari shutdown, 5,000 anti-nuclear advocates demonstrated outside Japan's industry ministry, demanding that Japan's former one-third dependence of nuclear power be consigned to history.
Close-up of anti-nuclear protesters in Tokyo
Initially stunned, Japanese have become increasingly vocal
"A new Japan with no nuclear power has begun," asserted Gyoshu Otsu, a Buddhist monk. "A lot of people are still suffering."
Opposition Social Democratic Party head, Mizuho Fukushima, speaking during the rally, said Japan should set a global precedent. Last year's nuclear accident must be the last "not only in Japan but all over the world, " he said.
Three reactors at Fukushima spewed radiation after a massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Swathes of land can no longer be farmed. Tens of thousands of people were forced from their homes - some of whom may never be allowed to return.
Let's not forget Nukes are no toys to play around with and NR are no vending machines.
