Japan reverts to nuclear power

Contrary public opinion fails to deter the Japanese government from returning to nuclear energy.

Japan has restarted its first nuclear reactor since it shut down all of its reactors for safety inspections following the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe of March 2011.

Anti-nuclear power protesters shouted their disapproval at the gate of the Ohi nuclear power plant run by Kansai Electric Power Company in the town of Ohi in Fukui prefecture, western Japan. Restarted were the plant’s No. 3 and No. 4 reactors that were shut down in July 2011 after developing a technical fault.

Activists also protested at Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's official residence chanting, "Saikado hantai," or "No to nuclear restarts.”

All 50 of Japan's working reactors were gradually turned off in the wake of last year's earthquake and tsunami, which sent the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant into multiple meltdowns.