Japan has shut down another nuclear power station, bringing it a step closer to suspending atomic energy, following the Fukushima disaster.
Only one of the 54 nuclear reactors remains in operation, and it is due to be switched off in May, BBC News reports.
Residents have demanded reactors not be turned back on after routine maintenance due to safety fears.
A tsunami in March 2011 triggered the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdowns.
The No 6 unit at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power station in Niiagata prefecture has been taken offline by the Tokyo Electric Power Co for maintenance. This leaves just the nuclear reactor on the island of Hokkaido in operation. It is unclear when the reactors that have been turned off might be restarted.
Before the Fukushima disaster, nearly a third of Japan's electricity was generated with nuclear power.
