Operations at all of Japan's nuclear power plants could be suspended "momentarily" starting May 6, Japanese Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano said Sunday.
"The number of nuclear reactors operating across the country may go down to zero, perhaps momentarily, from May 6," Edano said in a seminar in western Japan.
Edano’s comment came as the government began preparations to restart two offline nuclear reactors, which could help prevent power shortages in the summer months.
Only one of Japan's 54 reactors is in operation at present, but it is scheduled to be shut down for maintenance work on May 5.
