Japan earthquake

Tepco to be taken over by government

Japan will take over Tokyo Electric Power Co, the owner of the Fukushima nuclear plant, after the country’s trade minister approved a $12.5 billion capital injection.

Japan to switch off last nuclear power plant

Japan will shut down its last working nuclear power reactor this weekend just over a year after a tsunami scarred the nation.

Japan firms want safety guaranteed before nuclear restarts

Nearly three-quarters of Japanese firms want safety guaranteed before idled nuclear reactors in Japan are restarted.

Japan says two idled nuclear reactors safe to restart

Japan has declared two idled nuclear reactors operated by Kansai Electric Power Co safe and agreed for them to be restarted.

Japan holds off on Ohi nuclear restart decision

Japan’s trade minister says more time is needed to decide whether to restart two offline reactors at the Ohi nuclear plant.

Entry ban lifted on some Fukushima cities

Entry ban on some cities in Fukushima prefecture will be lifted, Japan’s government said on Friday.

Japan nuclear regulator blocked global standards for disaster response

Japan’s Trade Minister says the country’s nuclear regulator may have contributed to the Fukushima nuclear disaster by rejecting global standards for disaster response.

Global nuclear use could increase significantly despite Fukushima

Global use of nuclear energy could increase by as much as 100 per cent in the next two decades, a U.N. report says.

Japan nuclear reactor restart to be assessed by ministers

The safety of Kansai Electric Power Co’s two nuclear reactors will be assessed by Japanese ministers as early as this month, media have reported.

Japanese oppose nuclear restarts

A poll by the Asahi newspaper in Japan has shown that a majority of Japanese oppose a restart of nuclear power plants currently shut for maintenance.

Japan marks a year since Fukushima

Japan has marked a year since an earthquake and tsunami killed thousands and triggered the world’s worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl.

Japan foresaw Fukushima meltdown possibility

Japan foresaw the possibility of a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant hours after a huge tsunami smashed into it.

Japan’s nuclear reactors could be shut this summer

Japan’s Trade Minister says it is possible none of the country’s nuclear reactors will resume operations this summer when electricity demand peaks.

NISA postpones approval of Japan’s first reactor stress tests

Japan's nuclear watchdog has postponed the completion of its review on stress tests on the first pair of dozens of idled reactors.

Fukushima No.4 reactor leaking, radiation tiny

Fukushima’s No.4 reactor has leaked more than eight tonnes of radioactive water but the utility’s owner says none of it has reached outside the reactor building.

IAEA approves Japan’s nuclear stress tests

The UN nuclear agency endorsed tests designed to show Japanese nuclear plants could withstand a repeat of last year's earthquake and tsunami on Tuesday.

Japan’s Fukushima leaking water

Japan’s Fukushima plant has leaked more than 600 litres of water, forcing it to briefly suspend cooling operations at a spent-fuel pond at the weekend.

Japan will avoid power cuts this summer

Japan will be able to avoid power cuts this summer even if the nation's last few nuclear reactors cease operating.

Major Tokyo earthquake likely in next four years

Researchers say a major earthquake is far more likely to hit Tokyo in the next few years than the government estimates.

Japan's plans to restart nuclear plants sparks anger

Japan's plans to restart nuclear reactors and let them operate for up to 60 years has sparked public anger.

60-year lifespan for Japan’s nuclear reactors

Japan will allow nuclear reactors to operate for up to 60 years in revised regulations on power plant operators.

Japan plans 40-year limit for nuclear reactors

Japan’s nuclear reactors will be limited to a 40-year life, allowing extensions only under stringent conditions, under new plans to be submitted to parliament.

Fukushima clean-up could take up to 40 years

Japan’s government has released plans for the next clean-up phase of Fukushima, and says decommissioning the plant could take three or four decades

Fukushima reaches cold shutdown – Japan PM

Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant has reached a 'cold shutdown', Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda says.

Radiation exposure outside Fukushima exclusion zone

Residents outside the Fukushima exclusion zone were likely to have been exposed to radiation in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Fukushima operator scraps plan to dump water into sea

Fukushima nuclear plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), has scrapped a plan to dump water it treated for radiation contamination into the sea.

Japan’s Kansai to manually shut Mihama nuclear reactor

Kansai Electric Power Company’s Mihama No.2 nuclear reactor is being manually shut as a safety precaution.

Global nuclear power could fall 15 per cent post-Fukushima

World nuclear power generation could fall by up to 15 per cent by 2035 following the Fukushima disaster.

Fukushima plant showing signs of nuclear fission

Tokyo Electric Power Co has said it has found substances in a Fukushima reactor which could be due to nuclear fission.

Fukushima power plant to take 30 years to dismantle

Japan’s Atomic Energy Commission says it is likely to take more than 30 years to dismantle the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Japan not ruling out complete nuclear power closure

Japan has not ruled out the possibility of complete closure of its nuclear power stations as one option for the country's future energy policy, Minister Yukio Edano says.

Japan cities face growing radioactive ash

Japanese cities are facing the problem of accumulating piles of radioactive ash due to the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi plant.

Japan must be less conservative in nuclear clean up - IAEA

Japan must avoid being "over-conservative" in decontaminating areas affected by radiation from the Fukushima disaster.

Radiation hotspot found in Tokyo

A radiation hotspot in Tokyo has been attributed to mystery bottles stored under a house rather than the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Japan mayor calls for nuclear reactor decommissioning

The Tokaimura nuclear reactor 110km northeast of Tokyo must be decommissioned, the regional mayor has urged.

UK nuclear gets go-ahead after Fukushima review

A review of the UK’s nuclear industry after Fukushima says there is no reason to curtail nuclear operations in Britain.

IAEA to travel to Japan and help with Fukushima clean-up

UN nuclear experts will travel to Japan this week to help with the clean-up from the Fukushima nuclear crisis in March.

Japan's government begins debate on energy policy

Japan Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s month-old government began a debate on Japan’s energy policy on Monday.

Japan faces Fukushima waste disposal

Japan must dispose of 29 million cubic metres of contaminated soil after the Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Fukushima not affected by Japan typhoon

Japan typoon Roke has left six people dead and six missing, but has not had a major impact on the Fukushima nuclear plant.

IAEA states endorse global nuclear safety plan

A nuclear safety action plan post-Fukushima has been backed by the U.N. nuclear agency's 151 member states.

Japan wants Fukushima 'cold' reactor shutdown by end of year

Japan aims to have the Fukushima plant nuclear reactors in 'cold shutdown' by the end of the year, a top government official says.

U.N. nuclear safety proposals weakened, say diplomats

A U.N. nuclear safety action plan has been described as "weakened" by diplomats looking for strong measures.

Japan passes key renewable energy reform

Japan nuclear plant cold shutdown facing delay

Tokyo Electric Power Co has warned the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant may not achieve "cold shutdown" by January.

Japan's Hokkaido Elec gets approval for restarted reactor

Japan's Hokkaido Electric Power Co has been given local approval for commercial operation of its Tomari nuclear reactor.

Japan to set up new nuclear safety watchdog

Japan is to set up a new nuclear safety watchdog under the Environment Ministry, the government has confirmed.

UN atomic agency sets out measures to improve global nuclear safety

The UN atomic agency has outlined a series of measures in a draft action plan to help improve global nuclear safety.

Japan parties reach agreement on renewable energy bill

Japan’s ruling Democratic Party has reached a broad agreement with the main opposition parties to pass a renewable energy bill.

Japan to sack nuclear power policy officials after nuclear disaster

Japan will replace three senior officials in charge of nuclear power policy, the minister overseeing energy policy says.

Japan announce new nuclear safety regulator

Japan is to unveil plans for a new atomic safety regulator which is expected to enforce tougher nuclear safety standards.

Japan predicts power shortage next summer

Japan could have a power shortage of 9.2 per cent next summer if all of its nuclear reactors are shut.

Japan cites progress with Fukushima but sees long road ahead

Japan’s government says it’s on track with efforts to take control of the Fukushima plant but a final clean-up could take years.

Japan to order new 'stress tests' for nuclear reactors

Japan will make nuclear "stress tests" a mandatory part of safety checks following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster.

Japan must reduce dependence on nuclear power, says PM

Japan must decrease its reliance on nuclear power, prime minister Naoto Kan has said.

Japan’s reactors could restart after first stage of safety checks

Japan’s idled nuclear reactors could restart work if they pass the first stage of two-step post-Fukushima safety checks.

Fresh blow to credibility of Japan’s nuclear industry after email scandal

A Japanese nuclear power plant has come under fire for trying to sway the outcome of a public forum on atomic safety.

Stress test plan throws Japan nuclear restart into doubt

Attempts to reassure the Japanese public on nuclear power by ordering stress tests on reactors have backfired.

Japan’s government considering stress tests on nuclear reactors

Japan is considering stress tests on its nuclear reactors to ease safety fears after the Fukushima disaster.

Japan car sales fall while South Korea booms

New car sales in Japan fell by more than a fifth last month as the supply chain disruption from the earthquake continued.

Japan gets closer to local approval for nuclear reactor restart

Japan has moved closer to getting local governments’ approval to restart nuclear reactors after March’s quake and tsunami.

TEPCO wins shareholder backing to keep nuclear reactors

Tokyo Electric Power Co has won institutional shareholder backing to keep its nuclear reactors.

More radioactive water leaked from Fukushima plant

About 15 tonnes of water with a low level of radiation have leaked from the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant.

Nuclear power reduction would 'damage' Japan economy

Reducing nuclear output to zero after the Fukushima disaster would cause major damage to Japan's economy.

Japan cleanup of radioactive water springs leak

Japan's Fukushima plant could spill more radioactive water into the sea unless a glitch in the cleanup system is fixed.

Fukushima prompts large-scale radiation monitoring

Japan has launched a large-scale radiation survey in an attempt to reassure the public following leaks at the Fukushima plant.

Italians vote against nuclear energy in referendum

Italians have voted to ban nuclear energy for decades in a referendum that was strongly influenced by Japan’s disaster.

Tokyo employees start work an hour early to save power

Tokyo’s local government staff started work early today to save power after shortages caused by Japan’s damaged nuclear network.

Fukushima plant could leak more radioactive water

More radioactive water could be spilled into the ocean from the earthquake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, Tepco has warned.

Japan under-estimated tsunami threat, UN report says

UN inspectors have criticised Japan for under-estimating the threat of a tsunami on its crippled nuclear plant, but praised its overall response to the crisis as exemplary.

Damage to gas cylinder caused bang at Fukushima plant

A damaged gas cylinder was the source of a loud bang outside a reactor building at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Honda plant to ‘return to normal’ in September after Japan quake

Honda’s Swindon plant will not return to full production until September after it was hit by the effects of the Japan earthquake.

Toshiba to increase focus on renewables

Toshiba plans to increase focus on renewables after the Fukushima crisis resulted in setbacks to its nuclear sales.

Fuel rods at Fukushima plant melted in three reactors, TEPCO says

Fuel rods inside three of Fukushima Daiichi’s reactors melted early in the nuclear crisis, TEPCO says.

Sony faces $3.2bn net annual loss

Sony is facing its third annual loss following the Japan earthquake and high-profile network security breaches.

Japan workers enter No 3 reactor at earthquake-hit plant

Japanese workers have entered the third reactor building hit by nuclear fuel meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

U.N. nuclear agency to send expert mission to Japan

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is sending a fact-finding mission to Japan to assess the nuclear crisis.

Fukushima operator studying damaged reactors

Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi operator is studying whether reactors were damaged in the March 11 quake even before the tsunami.

Toyota’s new Prius deliveries delayed by Japan quake and tsunami

Deliveries of Toyota’s new Prius models may be delayed until next April because of the Japan quake and tsunami.

Fukushima reactor water leak could delay recovery

Japan's crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is facing a delay in stabilising due to a reactor leaking water.

Japan to promote renewable energy after nuclear crisis

Renewable energy will be a key pillar of Japan’s new energy policy, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan says.

Hamaoka nuclear power plant to shut after government request

Operators of Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Japan have agreed to the government’s request to shut it.

Japan PM asks power company to halt all operations at nuclear plant

Chubu Electric Power Co should halt all operations at its nuclear plant in central Japan, Japan’s Prime Minister says.

Japan workers enter reactor for first time since blast

Nuclear workers have entered the No. 1 reactor at the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan.

Japan nuclear workers set up fans to cut radiation

Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant workers have started putting up equipment to facilitate repairs to its cooling system.

Honda struggles after Japan quake while Hyundai surges

Hyundai shares have soared to a record high while rival Honda still has supply chain woes after the earthquake.

Canon slashes profit outlook after Japan earthquake

Canon has cut its annual outlook to below market expectations as it tries to cope with its earthquake-hit supply chain.

UK car production up in March but impact of Japan quake to hit soon

UK car production rose last month but is set to be hit soon by manufacturing cutbacks by quake-affected Japanese companies.

Japan makes no-go nuclear zone at Fukushima

Japan has said it will ban anyone entering the 12 mile evacuation zone around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Sendai Airport recovery likely to take time after quake and tsunami

Sendai International Airport will be refurbished extensively with funding from the Federal government, but not immediately.

Japan's nuclear crisis could drag on

Japan's TEPCO faces obstacles in its plan to shut down the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors in less than a year.

Toyota re-opens all Japanese plants after quake and tsunami

Toyota has resumed car production at all of its plants in Japan for the first time since the quake and tsunami hit.

TEPCO working to end Japan nuclear crisis

Nuclear plant operator TEPCO is working on ending the Japan nuclear crisis as radiation levels in the sea have spiked.

Toyota cuts car production at European factories to conserve parts

Toyota is slowing production at its factories in France, Turkey, Poland and the UK in order to conserve parts.

Japan raises nuclear crisis to same level as Chernobyl

Japan has upgraded its radiation severity level on a par with the world's worst nuclear accident Chernobyl.

GKN autos still disrupted by Japan earthquake

GKN expects 'continuing short term impact' in its auto component business due to the Japan earthquake.

Toyota to resume vehicle production at all of its 18 Japanese plants

Toyota will restart car production at all of its 18 plants in Japan from April 18 to 27.

Japan nuclear reactor pumped with nitrogen to prevent explosion

Japan nuclear workers are pumping nitrogen into nuclear reactor No.1 to try and prevent an explosive build-up of hydrogen gas.

Honda halves production following Japan earthquake

Honda will halve production at its Swindon factory because of a shortage of parts from Japan.

Japan workers battle to stem flow of contaminated water

Japanese nuclear workers are still trying to contain the disaster at the earthquake-hit Fukushima Daiichi plant.