source: mb.com.ph
TOKYO (AP) — Officials at a Japanese power company were finalizing a decision Saturday following a government request that it suspend all three reactors at a coastal nuclear plant while steps are taken to prevent a major earthquake or tsunami from causing another radiation crisis.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Friday that he had asked Chubu Electric Power Co. to halt its three reactors at Hamaoka nuclear power plant in central Japan until the operator can improve safety measures. Though not legally binding, the request is a virtual order.
The government is wrapping up a safety review of Japan’s 54 atomic reactors after a March 11 earthquake and tsunami crippled the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. The disaster left more than 25,000 people dead or missing on the northeast coast.
The Hamaoka nuclear plant just off the Pacific coast in central Japan is the only one so far where the government has asked that operations be halted over safety reasons.
Chubu Electric president Akihisa Mizuno said in a statement that the company would “swiftly consider’’ the government’s request.
He was expected to hold a news conference later Saturday to announce a decision.
“It was a decision made after thoroughly considering people’s safety,’’ Kan said Friday, citing experts’ forecast of a 90 percent probability of a quake with magnitude of 8.0 or higher striking central Japan within 30 years.
The government asked Chubu Electric to suspend two running reactors and a third currently shut for a regular inspection at the plant in Shizuoka, which is around 200 kms west of Tokyo. Two other reactors are currently being decommissioned.
“If an accident occurs at Hamaoka, it could create serious consequences,’’ Kan said.
source: mb.com.ph
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