While the pickup in LNG imports after Japan's Mar. 11 earthquake was slow, momentum is gradually building. Agreement by Chubu Electric to "temporarily" shutter its 3.6 gigawatt Hamaoka nuclear complex looks set to add to that momentum, as do continuing closures of other Japanese reactors (WGI Apr.6,pl). Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (Nisa) said only 22 of Japan's 54 reactors were running at end-April — or 44% of total nuclear capacity — and it has asked operators to implement safety measures, such as installing diesel generators and pumps to block seawater, before t, another inspection late this month.
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