Japan Nuclear Restart Gets PM's Approval

Kaede Tanaka, 3, sits in her buggy with a Geiger counter placed on her lap, during an anti-nuclear protest in front of the Japanese prime minister's official residence in Tokyo June 8, 2012. (photo: Reuters)

Justin McCurry, Guardian UK - readersupportednews.org - June 16th, 2012

Japan is to resume the use of nuclear power for the first time since last year's triple meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi power plant after the government on Saturday approved the restart of two idled reactors.

The decision to restart reactors three and four at Oi power plant in western Japan could pave the way for the resumption of operations at other atomic facilities, amid concern over power shortages during peak demand this summer.

The prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda, announced the restart after securing support from the mayor of Oi and the governor of Fukui prefecture, where Oi is located.

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