Small generators, big demand / Makers struggle to keep up as blackout worries diminish inventory Mamoru Kurihara / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer With power shortages anticipated this summer, small generators have become popular items. Such generators were previously used mainly by people operating businesses such as street stalls, but demand has grown among general consumers since the Great East Japan Earthquake hit the nation on March 11. Manufacturers have been hard-pressed to keep up with the rising demand. Common models of small generators run on gasoline or canned gas fuels and produce power for up to 20 hours. Makers have...