The imminent shutdown of all 17 nuclear reactors run by Tokyo Electric Power Co. is raising fears of power cuts this summer and has prompted Tepco to urge consumers to save electricity.

The anticipated shutdown of all of Tepco's reactors, which are located in Niigata and Fukushima prefectures, by mid-April follows revelations last August that the nation's largest electric power firm falsified safety reports to cover up defects at its nuclear facilities.

According to Tepco, the possible power outages as a result of the reactors being shut down for safety checks will affect customers in Tokyo and eight other prefectures.

The reactors, which generate a total of 17 million kw, supply more than 40 percent of the total electricity used in Tokyo and surrounding areas.