Japan’s Hamaoka Nuclear Plant Stops Operations

Tokyo, May 14. -The operator of Japan's Hamaoka nuclear plant agreed to suspend operations in that complex, as requested by Prime Minister Naoto Kan due to safety concern.

Very early today, control rods were installed in No. 5 reactor, after the same operation was done yesterday in the No. 4, local press quoted sources from Chubu Electric Power Co. as saying.

Units 1 and 2 of the plant in Omaezaki city, Shizuoka prefecture, are shut down, while the third has been regularly checked since the March 11 tsunami and quake.

The prime minister had requested the aforementioned company to suspend operations in the plant due to 87 percent likelihood that a strong quake hits that region within the next 30 years, according to experts.

The decision was made to reinforce safety in the plant, including preventive works to guard it against tsunamis. (Prensa Latina)