Japan may go without n-power

Tokyo, April 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Operations at Japan's all nuclear power plants could be suspended "momentarily" starting May 6, Japanese Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano has said.

"The number of nuclear reactors operating across the country may go down to zero, perhaps momentarily from May 6," Edano said in a seminar in western Japan Sunday.

Edano's comment came as the Japanese government began preparations to restart two offline nuclear reactors, which could help prevent power shortages during summer.

Only one of Japan's 54 reactors is in operation at present, but it is scheduled to be shut down for maintenance work May 5.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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