Hamaoka power plant halted

The Japanese government ordered the temporary suspension of Hamaoka nuclear power plant because of fears of an earthquake.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan said three Hamaoka power plant should be closed before the new security measures.
Experts say a strong earthquake will likely occur in the region.
The experts are still trying to secure the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant damaged by the great earthquake and tsunami on 11 March.
Cooling system on the damaged plant that makes fuel rods get too hot. Then there was an explosion at the four plants that were active when the earthquake struck.
The quake probably occurred
Speaking at a press conference on Friday (6 / 5), Kan said the Hamaoka power plant that has operated five reactors and Chubu Electric Power Company were ordered to emporarily suspend operation to close two plants and three plants for routine examinations can be done.
Hamaoka power plant located about 200 km south of Tokyo in Shizuoka prefecture. The seismologists said the quake would occur in the area.
"Officials concerned, including the ministries of science states the possibility of an earthquake measuring 8.0 occurred in the area again 30 years is 87%," Kan said.
"This decision was taken for the safety of the population given the specificity of Hamaoka power plant," he said.
He said the security measures, including the construction of sea wall needs to be applied in the plant before operations resumed.