Japan court orders shutdown of two nuclear reactors

PanARMENIAN.Net - A Japanese court on Wednesday, March 9 ordered two regional nuclear reactors to shut down over safety concerns, public broadcaster NHK reported, just days before the fifth anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, AFP reports.

The order would bring the number of operating reactors in Japan down to two. Dozens were shut down in the wake of the accident.

The ruling is the first to require the shutdown of reactors that were restarted under stricter safety standards adopted after the 2011 accident, the worst atomic crisis in a generation.

The ruling from the Otsu District Court -- which sided with area residents who launched their legal action claiming the reactors posed safety risks -- is a blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's bid to bring back nuclear power.

The reactors ordered to be shuttered are Kansai Electric's No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at its Takahama nuclear plant, some 350 kilometres (217 miles) west of Tokyo, NHK said.

The No.4 reactor was taken offline last month due to an unexpected glitch days after it restarted, while the No. 3 reactor is currently operating.

Kansai Electric did not immediately comment on the media reports, according to AFP.

After the order was handed down Wednesday, television footage showed plaintiffs and local residents cheering and holding banners celebrating their victory.