Opponents of nuclear energy received good news this weekend as Chubu Electric Power Co. officials announced plans to halt all reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant. Considered by some scientists as the most dangerous power plant in the country (some say even in the world), the structure is located directly over the subduction zone near the junction of two tectonic plates. Imagine that!

Experts estimate there is a near 90% likelihood of a major earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or higher — called the Tokai Earthquake — hitting the area within the next 30 years (which could even occur next week, if one thinks about recent developments on the island).

Prime Minister Naoto Kan whose popular support has torpedoed down to embarrassingly low levels, has on May 6th asked that all three currently operating reactors be suspended. Two of the five reactors are being decommissioned since 2009. The embattled Captain Kan made this decision after hearing opinions from several nuclear experts he handpicked after the March 11 disaster.

From what we saw in the news, Kan plans to outline the government’s new energy policy strategy, including promotion of renewable energy sources as an alternative to nuclear power at the G-8 summit in France later this month.

The suspension of the plant is temporary and will last for at least next two to three years until the utility erects a concrete levee of 15 meters (50 ft) or higher that would protect against a possible tsunami. Surprisingly, the radioactive fortress hasn’t had any protective barrier around it (!). Instead, the silly Chubu Electric has been counting on the sand dunes between the ocean and the plant — on average 10 meters (32 ft) high — to be enough to protect against the forces of nature. That’s almost like trying to assault a samurai with chopsticks.

Along with the fence, they are planning to build more backup generators and other emergency equipment for cooling purposes as well as improve water-tightness of the reactor structures. The plant is supposed to remain shut down until safety can be assured.

Residents of Shizuoka who live close to the plant and Japanese anti-nuclear activists have been fighting for years for the shutdown of Hamaoka. They promote their activities through websites and on Facebook.

The notorious plant is located in the city of Omaezaki, not far from Shizuoka and about 200 kilometers (124 miles) south-west of Tokyo.

What do you think? Will they be able to guarantee safety or does Mother Nature have yet another hidden trump card?