Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced that he had
approved the restarting of two nuclear reactors to avoid an imminent energy
crisis.
All fifty of the country's reactors were shut down following the meltdown at
Fukushima. Before that, atomic energy produced nearly thirty percent of
Japan's electricity.
Despit recent surveys showing most people in Japan want to abandon atomic
energy, the prime minister said he had no choice -- parts of the country are
facing a severe power shortage.
After the prime minister's announcement, thousands of angry protesters
gathered outside Noda's official residence to show their discontent.
Ministers say the alternative to nuclear energy, fossil fuels, would drive
up electricity bills, harm small businesses and still leave a severe power
deficit.
Noda is hoping that the promise of tougher safety measures will help avoid
another Fukushima -- but many do not agree with his decision.
Al Jazeera's Dominic Kane reports.
Japan evacuates 250,000 in floods
Officials have ordered the mass evacuation of around two
hundred and thirty thousand people in Northern Kyushu. Japan's
Meteorological Agency says the strongest part of the storm has likely passed
But with heavy rain warnings at least through till the end of Sunday, that's
little consolation for residents of Kyushu. Al Jazeera's Mereana Hond
reports.
