Japan's Nuclear Power Plant Towns - Omaezaki

OMAEZAKI, JAPAN - AUGUST 09: A young girl runs up a hill next to a large slippery slide on August 9, 2014 in Omaezaki, Japan. The town of Omaezaki is living in the shadow of what is said to be, " the most dangerous nuclear power plant in Japan". Hamaoka Nuclear power plant is situated on the coastline in Omaezaki, 200km SW of Tokyo. After the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami, which crippled the Fukushima Nuclear plant, Hamaoka was shut down by direct request from the then, Japanese prime minister Naoto Kan The plant is in a region of high seismic activity, it is built directly over the subduction zone close to the junction of two tectonic plates. The Tokai region has experienced two great earthquakes in the past, the Tonankai Earthquake in 1944 and the Mikawa earthquake in 1945. Leading researchers have predicted that there is an 87% chance the region will be struck again by a shallow 8+ earthquake within the next 30 years. The Coordinating Committee for Earthquake Prediction upgraded the region to an Area of Intensified Observation in 1974. Since the plants closure owners Chubu Electric Power Co. have been working on strengthening its defense's against earthquakes and tsunamis. The plant is currently constructing a new 1.6 km breakwater wall reaching 22 meter's above sea level and increasing flood protection for essential equipment and power generators in a bid to comply with new government safety regulations and to gain approval to restart operations. After the closure of the plant Omaezaki has seen a decrease in business and like many small towns across Japan is seeing a steady decrease in population. The town has now turned its focus to tourism to attract visitors and dollars. Well known for its beautiful beaches, surf locations, and tea plantations, it is however the sea turtle population, which it is most famous for, with many people visiting during the sea turtle hatching season. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)