City assembly calls on shutdown of Hamaoka plant

A city assembly in central Japan has adopted a resolution calling on the permanent shutdown of a local nuclear power plant unless its safety is guaranteed.

The Makinohara City Assembly in Shizuoka Prefecture adopted the resolution on Monday. The city is located within 10 kilometers from the Hamaoka nuclear plant.

Mayor Shigeki Nishihara said he views the resolution seriously and shares the assembly's concern for the safety of the city's residents. He also said automaker Suzuki is considering moving its factories out of the prefecture because of the risk of a nuclear accident.

Chubu Electric, the plant operator, says it will do all it can to improve the safety of the Hamaoka plant.

As part of a nationwide government mandate, 3 of the plant's 5 reactors went offline following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The 2 other reactors had already been shut down for decommissioning.

Chubu Electric is now building a breakwater to improve safety measures against future tsunami. It hopes to resume operations of the 3 reactors.

The utility had previously signed a pact to assure nuclear power plant safety with Makinohara and 3 other cities within 10 kilometers from the plant, as well as the prefecture.

The prefecture usually approves a plant's operation if local municipalities give their consent.

Monday's resolution is likely to affect the utility's plan to restart the reactors.