nuclear-news

Cheering Japanese in their thousands greet nuclear power shutdown

Electricity shortages are expected only at peak periods, such as the middle of the day in hot weather, and critics of nuclear power say proponents are exaggerating the consequences to win public approval to restart reactors.

Japanese cheer as nuclear reactor shut for checkup SF Gate, Associated Press, May 6, 2012 Thousands of Japanese celebrated the switching off of the last of their nation’s 50 nuclear reactors Saturday, waving banners shaped like giant fish that have become a potent antinuclear symbol.

Japan was without electricity from nuclear power for the first time in
four decades when the reactor at Tomari nuclear plant on the northern
island of Hokkaido went offline for mandatory routine maintenance.
After last year’s March 11 earthquake and tsunami set off meltdowns at
the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant, no reactor halted for checkups has been
restarted amid public worries about the safety of nuclear technology.

“Today is a historic day,” Masashi Ishikawa shouted to a crowd
gathered at a Tokyo park, some holding traditional carp-shaped banners
for Children’s Day that have become a symbol of the antinuclear
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,” Ishikawa said.

The activists said it is fitting that the day Japan stopped nuclear
power coincides with Children’s Day because of their concerns about
protecting children from radiation, which Fukushima Dai-ichi is still
spewing into the air and water…..
Japan now requires reactors to pass new tests to withstand quakes and
tsunamis and to gain local residents’ approval before restarting……

Electricity shortages are expected only at peak periods, such as the middle of the day in hot weather, and critics of nuclear power say proponents are exaggerating the consequences to win public approval to restart reactors. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/05/MNCS1ODVQA.DTL#ixzz1uDfSgmWP

May 7, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, opposition to nuclear