ATM glitches, power outages jolt stressed Tokyo

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/17/us-japan-tokyo-idUSTRE72G28J20110317

By Mariko Katsumura

TOKYO | Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:22am EDT

TOKYO (Reuters)- Malfunctioning bank machines and threats of power outages on Thursday jolted a stressed Tokyo where millions stocked up on rice and other essentials, stayed indoors or crowded into airports during Japan's nuclear crisis.

Flurries of transactions at some Mizuho Bank branches abruptly shut thousands of automatic teller machines and the government warned of major blackouts, adding to the disorder of a city that thrives on precision and efficiency.

As authorities struggle to avert catastrophe at an earthquake-ravaged nuclear-power complex 240 km (150 miles) to the north, Tokyo faced a test of nerves.

Some residents are leaving, some are applying for passports or hoarding what they can -- from food to cash and gold, a safe haven during times of crisis. Premiums for gold bars rose to as much as $2 an ounce in Tokyo.