Japan wants to consider lowering nuclear dependence - trade minister

Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi takes a seat as he meets with mayors and council chairmen of the towns nearby Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s (TEPCO) tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to discuss about leaked water problem of the nuclear plant in Tokyo September 6, 2013. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's trade minister said on Tuesday the government would like to consider lowering the dependence on nuclear power two-and-a- half years after a massive earthquake and tsunami crippled the Fukushima plant in northeast Japan.

All nuclear reactors in Japan went off line this week, for only the third time in more than three decades, after Kansai Electric Power Co shut down its Ohi No. 4 reactor for planned maintenance.