Japanese government has asked Chubu Electric Corp. to stop operation of all reactors in Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Shizuoka Prefecture due to safety concerns in the event of a major earthquake, Prime Minister Naoto Kan told a press conference Friday.

At the evening press conference, Kan said the decision is "made after thinking about people's safety," as the nuclear power station lacks medium- to long-term measures for protection against disasters, such as embankments.

Kan explained that the Hamaoka plant will be suspended because it is located near the epicenter of the possible Tokai earthquake, which the Japanese government and experts predict will very likely to occur in the near next 30 years.

Kan said some power shortage is expected in Chubu region after the suspension of Hamaoka plant and asked Japanese citizens for understanding.

The Tokai earthquake is expected to be at least a magnitude 8, with lots of regions shaken at an intensity of 7, the highest level in the Japanese earthquake intensity scale.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments