Japan to shut nuclear plant on quake fears

Source: Reuters

Japanese power firm Chubu Electric Monday agreed to shut a nuclear plant until it can be better defended against the type of massive tsunami that in March triggered the worst atomic crisis in 25 years.

The temporary shutdown of Hamaoka, which supplies power to central Japan -- home to many manufacturers including Toyota Motor Corp -- has added to concerns about power shortages following the crisis at another plant in northeast Japan that was crippled by the March 11 quake and tsunami.

Chubu's decision was in response to an unprecedented request by Prime Minister Naoto Kan last week to halt all reactors still operating at Hamaoka, citing the high risk that a powerful earthquake would hit the region in coming years.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/09/us-japan-nuclear-idUSTRE74803G20110509

are probably still stored there and they need to be kept cool so if there is another earthquake that shuts down the power they will be in trouble again.