Thousands protest nuclear plants in Japan

[News_Editor]

Thousands protest nuclear plants in Japan

2011-04-25 02:28:51 GMT+7 (ICT)

TOKYO (BNO NEWS) -- About 4,500 people on Sunday rallied in Tokyo to call for the closure of all nuclear power plants in Japan, NHK Television reported.



The demonstrators gathered in central Tokyo and marched through the streets holding banners and placards. They urged the government to shut down all nuclear plants and called for a nuclear-free society.



The protesters shouted, "Protect the children in Fukushima from radiation", as they passed the head office of Tokyo Electric Power Company.

 The citizens' group that organized the demonstration said this was the largest in the event's history since only about 100 people participated last year. The group plans to urge the government and political parties to work for the abolition of nuclear power.

Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was severely damaged on March 11 when a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and a subsequent tsunami devastated the country. The disaster disabled the cooling systems of the plant, and radioactive elements leaked into the sea and were later found in water, air and food products in some parts of Japan.

At least 14,294 people were killed, while some 13,000 people remain missing. Japanese officials have called it the worst crisis since the end of World War II.

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