Anti-nuke protesters surround Japanese parliament

Protesters holding candles take part in the anti-nuclear rally outside the parliament house in Tokyo, on Sunday.

Thousands of people are rallying around Japan’s parliament complex to demand that the government abandon nuclear power after last year’s Fukushima crisis.

Also Sunday is a closely watched regional election. Voters are choosing a governor in south-western Yamaguchi Prefecture, where an outspoken anti-nuclear candidate is running.

Sunday’s rally is the latest in a series of peaceful demonstrations in Japan, including weekly Friday evening protests outside the Prime Minister’s residence.

The crowds have not dwindled, and public discontent has grown to levels unseen in decades.

Protesters say they are angry that the government restarted two reactors earlier this month, despite safety worries after the multiple meltdowns at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

All 50 working reactors in Japan went offline in May due to routine checks.