Japanese reject nuclear power

A VAST majority of Japanese favour the gradual phasing out of nuclear plants, but accept that some reactors need to be restarted to secure enough power in the short term, a poll showed.

The poll, published in the Tokyo Shimbun daily and conducted on the first anniversary of the tsunami-triggered nuclear crisis, comes ahead of a decision by the government on whether to restart two idled reactors.

According to the poll, 79.6 per cent were at least more or less in favour of breaking with nuclear power. But 69 per cent backed the restart of some reactors.

Only two of the country’s 54 nuclear reactors are operating.