Japan nuclear restart sparks protest

Thousands march through Tokyo in protest against the restart of a nuclear reactor.

The first reactor to be brought back online since the 2011 Fukushima crisis, the Ohi plant was up and running Sunday.

Nine minor problems have been reported at the plant since mid-June.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 62-YEAR-OLD SCHOOL TUTOR AKIKO KONDO, SAYING:

"While saying they're going to restart, there continues to be various problems even with the Ohi nuclear power plant. When I hear about this, and under these circumstances, to have it running, all I can really say is that the government and all those involved really shock me."

A senior government official urged plant employees to put safety first.

All of the country's nuclear reactors were shut down for maintenance and safety checks after last year's earthquake and tsunami caused the worst atomic crisis since Chernobyl.

Lindsey Parietti, Reuters