Japan has started work to put nuclear reactors back online, despite public distrust of the technology after last year's meltdowns at Fukushima. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told Kansai Electric Power to put into operation two idled reactors at its Oi plant, which serves the industrial heartland of western Japan.

An official of the firm said the utility, which supplies Osaka and the surrounding areas, began preparatory work this afternoon to reactivate one of the reactors. Work on the other reactor will begin on June 21. He said the first reactor is expected to start generating power as soon as July 4. The controversial move comes amid fears that Japan's electricity demand will outstrip supply as summer temperatures soar, further crimping the country's wobbly economic recovery.

But it has angered many Japanese wary of nuclear energy after the crisis sparked by the huge quake-tsunami disaster in March last year. About 500 people rallied outside Noda's official residence in central Tokyo raising slogans and carrying placards reading not to activate dangerous nuclear reactors.