Quake aftereffects take toll on business

? An earthquake-wracked nuclear power plant in Kashiwazaki was ordered closed indefinitely Wednesday amid growing anger over revelations that damage was much worse than initially announced.

Toyota and other Japanese automakers, meanwhile, suspended production at factories across the country because a major parts supplier sustained damage from Monday’s magnitude-6.8 quake, which killed 10 people and left tens of thousands without power or water.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. warned that the nuclear plant shutdown could lead to power shortages in Japan. It has asked six other power companies to consider providing emergency electricity to prepare for rising demand from summer air conditioning, spokesman Hiroshi Itagaki said.