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Japan Nuclear-Free As Last Reactor Halted

September 16, 2013

Japan has gone nuclear-free as it switched off its last operating reactor for an inspection.

Kansai Electric Power Co. announced that it took Reactor No. 4 at its Ohi nuclear plant in western Japan offline early on September 16.

No timetable was given for a restart.

The Japanese public turned against nuclear power after a massive earthquake and tsunami sparked meltdowns at the Fukushima power plant in 2011.

Following the accident, nuclear plants have been closed for scheduled maintenance or because of safety fears.

Before the Fukushima crisis, nuclear plants supplied about one-third of Japan's power.

The world's third-largest economy is now forced to import huge amounts of coal, natural gas, and other fuels.

But continuing concerns at Fukushima have hampered the government's attempts to win public support for a return to nuclear.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/japan-nuclear-reactor-halted/25107437.html

Copyright (c) 2013. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.