Nuke shutdown in Japan

Barring hitches, Japan on Saturday, May 5, will become a nuclear-free nation — even if temporarily — for the first time in more than 4 decades, according to various reports. At least 50 commercial reactors are scheduled to go offline in response to local criticism of their use. Public distrust in nuclear plants grew after last year’s devastating tsunami and earthquake that damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Local executives managed to seize this sentiment to question what they call Tokyo’s bias for big business at the expense of public safety. Japanese experts though dread a future scenario without nukes.

Read the full story in The NewYork Times