Anti-nuclear energy protesters march on a street in Tokyo Monday, July 16, 2012. Tens of thousands of people gathered at a Tokyo park, demanding “Sayonara,” or goodbye, to nuclear power as Japan prepares to restart yet another reactor, and expressed outrage over a report that blamed culture on the Fukushima disaster. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
July 16, 2012 - 4:21 AM
TOKYO - Tens of thousands of people are rallying in a Tokyo park, joining Nobel laureate Kenzaburo Oe and pop star Ryuichi Sakamoto to demand Japan bid "sayonara" to nuclear power.
Japan is preparing to restart another reactor at its Ohi nuclear plant, the second to go back online after the country's 50 working reactors went offline after routine tests following last year's nuclear disaster.
The prime minister ordered the first to go back on line last month, saying some nuclear power was needed for the good of the people and the economy.
Organizers said Monday's sprawling rally in Yoyogi Park drew as many as 200,000 people — the latest in a series of protests here. The second reactor at Ohi is set to go online later this week.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012