video transcript

Protesters take to the streets of Tokyo. Hundreds gather outside Japanese Prime Minister's Yoshihiko Noda's residence after the government announces plans to kickstart operations at two nuclear reactors. Trade Minister Yukio Edano announced the news, saying it would apply to reactors 3 and 4 of the Ohi Nuclear Plant in western Japan. But protesters said they would continue to fight the use of nuclear energy. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 45-YEAR-OLD PROTESTER SHIORI KAZAMA, SAYING: "He doesn't listen to the voices of ordinary people like us. But we're going to keep pushing on - putting our views across at protests like this." The push to restart the reactors before a potential summer power crunch comes amid sagging popularity ratings for Noda. Despite protests and public safety concerns, the decision could now open the door to more restarts among Japan's 50 nuclear reactors, shut down after the Fukushima nuclear crisis last year. Sunita Rappai, Reuters