47 Japanese Nuclear Reactors Placed in “Long-Term Shutdown”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has officially changed the status of 47 Japanese Nuclear Reactors to “Long-Term Shutdown,” or LTS, on its online database known as the Power Reactor Information System (PRIS). Japan’s loss brings the world total of operational nuclear reactors from 437 down to 390, making for the lowest levels since 1986. Still, many question the validity of the IAEA’s evaluations, as there seems to be no consistently clear set of rules used to determine activity status judging by the wide ranging characteristics of previously listed LTS sites. Nonetheless, the fact that only two nuclear reactors are currently functionally operating in Japan is testament to the country’s environmental progress in spite of a purportedly pro-nuclear Japanese administration.