Japan's Chubu eases power output curbs in March

TOKYO, April 7 (Reuters) - Japan's Chubu Electric Power Co (9502.T) said on Tuesday it had generated 13.4 percent less electricity in March than a year earlier, an improvement from a record 22.7 percent decline in February.

Although power demand remained weak amid the recession, which has hurt the autos and other export industries, colder weather in March after a warm February likely supported demand, a company spokeswoman said.

Chubu, Japan's third-biggest utility, has been curbing power output since August.

It said its nuclear plant run rate was 31.7 percent in March, down from 59.8 percent the previous month, as one of its reactors has been shut since Feb. 25 for planned inspection.

Chubu's region includes the home base of Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), the world's biggest automaker. (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Chris Gallagher)