Following the Fakushima nuclear disaster in 2011, the public are highly concerned over the government’s plans to restart the Sendai nuclear plant.
Yoshitaka Mukohara, a candidate who contested in the 2012 elections for the Kagoshima governorship position, was quoted by Reuters as saying: "No one knows when natural disasters, including earthquakes and tsunamis will strike. The fact that they could not predict the Mt. Ontake eruption highlights that."
The Sendai nuclear plant is located about 50km from Mount Sakurajima, an active volcano.
Situated 200km from Tokyo, Mount Ontake erupted on 27 September, which killed more than 10 people.
The country has over 100 such active volcanoes, reports Reuters.
In early September, the country”s Nuclear Regulation Authority said that the Sendai nuclear plant met the new safety parameters. However, the plant still has to pass operational safety checks and receive approval from local authorities.
The Sendai plant will not recommence operations till 2015.
Due to the closure of the nuclear power plants following the Fakushima disaster, the country has been forced to import costly fossil fuels for power generation.
