Japan orders 3 reactors shut

Gov't intervention necessary if Hamaoka nuke plant can't make decision to shut down

"The Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant should be stopped," said a participant in a meeting on the state of the economy, where Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Cabinet members were among those present. Banri Kaieda, head of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) that oversees the power industry, refrained from making a rebuttal. Taken aback by the sudden introduction of the issue, others at the meeting maintained their silence. While debate was avoided, the fact that a government official called for the shutdown of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant sent shockwaves through the various ministries and the power industry.

While it may appear as though the government is not considering the possibility of closing down any nuclear power plant besides the one in Fukushima, that is not the case. Behind the scenes, there have been sporadic discussions along the following lines:

"The Hamaoka plant is dangerous."

"But there's no legal basis on which to differentiate the Hamaoka plant from the others and stop just that one while others keep running."...