By TOKYO -- Japan's leader appealed to the nation Friday to accept that two nuclear reactors that remained shuttered after the Fukushima disaster must be restarted to protect the economy and people's livelihoods.. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said the government has taken ample safety measures to ensure the two western Japan reactors would not leak radiation if an earthquake or tsunami as severe as last year's should strike.. All 50 of Japan's workable reactors are offline for maintenance and due to safety concerns since the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, swept into a coastal plant in Fukushima and sparked the world's second-worst nuclear disaster.. The two reactors at the Ohi nuclear plant are the first two ready to resume generating power, but the public has shown great concern that government failures worsened last year's crisis and may recur.. "The Japanese society cannot survive if we stop all nuclear reactors or keep them halted," Noda said in a news conference broadcast live.. The government wants the reactors to be operational ahead of a summertime energy crunch.. Without nuclear energy, utilities would have to rely more heavily on costly fossil fuel, which would increase electricity bills and financial strain on small businesses.. Local consent is not legally required for restarting the reactors, though government ministers have promised to gain understanding from the prefecture
Poll: Hochul leading Republican rivals ... Long Ireland brewery to close ... Visiting Christmasland in Deer Park
Credit: Newsday
Updated 29 minutes ago Accused cop killer in court ... Teacher's alleged victims to testify ... Popular brewery to close ... Visiting Christmasland in Deer Park
Poll: Hochul leading Republican rivals ... Long Ireland brewery to close ... Visiting Christmasland in Deer Park
Credit: Newsday
Updated 29 minutes ago Accused cop killer in court ... Teacher's alleged victims to testify ... Popular brewery to close ... Visiting Christmasland in Deer Park
