Last nuclear plant in Japan switched off

Japan has switched off its last working nuclear power reactor just over a year after a tsunami hit the nation. If the country survives the summer without major electricity shortages, nuclear plants may never be switched on again.

According to Reuters, the shutdown leaves Japan without nuclear power for the first time since 1970 while putting electricity producers on the defensive.

Japan has 54 nuclear power reactors, including the four at Tokyo Electric's Daiichi plant in Fukushima that were damaged in the earthquake and tsunami.

The Japanese have already expressed their opposition to nuclear pants, and a second summer without nuclear power could spell the end of it.

Last summer, Japan got through the summer without any blackouts by imposing curbs on use in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.

Factories operated at night and during weekends to avoid putting too much stress on the country's power grids. A similar success this year would weaken the argument of proponents of nuclear power.