What now for Japan's nuclear stations?

With Japan's last operating nuclear reactor due to go offline for maintenance, the future of the country's nuclear industry is in doubt.

The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant has seven reactors and can provide up to a fifth of the needs of Tokyo and the surrounding region, but the station is offline - and imports of LNG and oil are being increased to compensate.

Japan's attitude to nuclear power changed after the 11 March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, but the power station is a big employer and there are limited employment opportunities in the surrounding area.

Roland Buerk reports.