It is pretty amazing that Japan could go from 30% nuclear to nothing in a little more than a year. And while of course their economy was seriously hurt last year by the earthquake/tsunami, they are not in as terrible shape as I suspect virtually every other industrialized country would be if something equivalent occurred. They are a remarkable people.
Tomari shutdown leaves Japan without nuclear power
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The last of the three reactors at the Tomari nuclear plant is being switched off
Continue reading the main story Related Stories Nuclear future uncertain in Japan Japan plans to restart reactors Fukushima report notes failures
Japan is switching off its last working nuclear reactor, as part of the safety drive since the March 2011 tsunami triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima plant.
The third reactor at the Tomari plant, in Hokkaido prefecture, is shutting down for routine maintenance.
It leaves Japan without energy from atomic power for the first time for more than 40 years.
Until last year, Japan got 30% of its power from nuclear energy. Hundreds of people marched through Tokyo, waving banners to celebrate what they hope will be the end of nuclear power in Japan.
Power shortages
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote Not a single [nuclear reactor] will be up and running today, and that's because of our efforts”
Masashi Ishikawa Anti-nuclear campaigner
Since the Fukushima disaster, all the country's reactors have been shut down for routine maintenance. They must withstand tests against earthquakes and tsunamis, and local authorities must give their consent in order for plants to restart.
So far, none have.
Two reactors at the Ohi plant in western Japan have been declared safe. The government says they should be restarted to combat looming shortages.
However, regional authorities would still have to give their approval.
Ministers have warned Japan faces a summer of power shortages.
The BBC's Roland Buerk, in Tokyo, says the government could force the issue, but so far has been reluctant to move against public opinion.
Organisers of the anti-nuclear march in the capital estimated turnout at 5, 500.
Demonstrators carried banners shaped as giant fish. The "Koinobori" banners, traditionally the symbol of Children's Day, have been adopted by the anti-nuclear movement.
Anti-nuclear demonstrators carried the carp-shaped banners that have become a symbol of their movement.
"There are so many nuclear plants, but not a single one will be up and running today, and that's because of our efforts," campaigner Masashi Ishikawa told the crowd.
Engineers began the process of shutting down the final Tomari reactor, inserting control rods to bring the fission process to an end.
All operations at the plant will have stopped by 14:00 GMT, a spokesman told Associated Press.
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