Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced that he had approved the restarting of two nuclear reactors to avoid an imminent energy crisis. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />After the prime minister's announcement, thousands of angry protesters gathered outside Noda’s official residence to show their discontent. <br /><br />Ministers say the alternative to nuclear energy, fossil fuels, would drive up electricity bills, harm small businesses and still leave a severe power deficit.<br /><br />Noda is hoping that the promise of tougher safety measures will help avoid another Fukushima – but many do not agree with his decision.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Dominic Kane reports.
