Japanese nuclear restarts herald weaker LNG market

摘要

In a decision that has major implications for LNG markets, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda decided June 16 in favor of letting nuclear power generation resume with the restart of Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Ohi-3 reactor in early July. The Ohi-4 reactor has also been allowed to restart. The last of Japan's 50 operable reactors, Hokkaido EPC's Tomari-3, was shut at 11:03 pm May 5 for refueling and maintenance. The final decision on Ohi came after two months of intense political discussions and numerous meetings between national, regional and local leaders.