Japanese gov asks Chubu Electric Power Co to shut reactors at Hamaoka nuclear power plant near Tokyo
Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan has confirmed that his government asked Chubu Electric Power Co to stop all reactors at its Hamaoka nuclear power plant, pending implementation of “safety precautions.”
Chubu Electric Power Company’s Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Shizuoka Prefecture sits on an active seismic fault. Photo: Supplied.
Hamaoka NPP is located in Omaezak, Shizuoka Prefecture, about 200km (120 miles) south of Tokyo, an area known as the Tokai region, where Japanese seismologist believe a magnitude-8.0 or stronger earthquake could strike within 30 years with a probability of 87 percent.
[SEE also FIRE-EARTH forecast: Global Tectonics Alert – April 9]
Incredibly, the Hamaoka plant sits on an active fault within an area where Tokai earthquake is expected to strike.
Of Hamaoka five reactors only two Nos. 4 and 5 are operating, which the government has asked the operator to shut down immediately. Reactors 1 and 2, built in the late 1970s, are being decommissioned, and Reactor 3 is offline undergoing maintenance.
“Should a serious accident unfold at the Hamaoka nuclear plant, the implications would be far-reaching as the Tokaido Shinkansen Line and the Tomei Expressway–two key transportation arteries in Honshu run within 20 kilometers of the plant.” Asahi reported.
Will the Company Comply?
“The utility’s spokesperson said that the government’s request would have major implications on the region it services because of the energy conservation measures that may have to be put in place. Chubu Electric services Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Nagano and Mie prefectures.” The report said.
“The president (of Chubu Electric) said that he wants to hold his final answer.” Japan’s industry minister has said.
In reply to the question, what if the company refuses to comply, PM Kan said: “We will talk to the company to have them understand our intent fully.”
UNBELIEVABLY, Japan’s “prime minister is not authorized to order the shutdown of nuclear reactors.” Said the report.
Fukushima NPP
Meanwhile, a 20km (12 mile) mandatory evacuation zone remains enforced at the Fukushima power plant, keeping up to 125,000 people out of their homes, as TEPCO technicians struggle to “stabilize” the stricken nuclear plant. Explosions at the plant, which occurred after it was struck by the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and tsunami two months ago, were responsible for Japan’s worst nuclear disaster, to date.
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- Probability of a Nuclear Disaster – by Country
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