Friday protesters in Tokyo

For the photos of the demonstration see for instance the page on the "Revolution des hortensias" on the Blog de Fukushima

June 29, 2012

Protests over nuclear plant restart continue

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120629_35.html

A crowd rallied in front of the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo on Friday to protest the restart a nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan.

Protesters have been gathering every Friday since late March. Their activities are organized by a coalition of anti-nuclear groups in and around Tokyo.

The organizers say more and more people are getting in on the action through social media and word of mouth.

A cross-section of Tokyo residents formed a line several hundred meters long.

Protesters held up signs demanding the government retract its decision to restart the Ohi reactors.

The reactors were shut down 15 months ago for maintenance. One placard read "No more Fukushimas."

A 57-year-old man said he joined the protest for the first time when he learned about it on Twitter. He said the government's handling of the re-start lacks transparency and that it should review the way nuclear power plants are operated.

A 40-year-old woman was with her son and mother. She said she was at first reluctant to take part in the protest, but wanted to protect her children from radiation fears.