The Oi nuclear plant's reactor No 3, in the western Fukui Prefecture of Japan, was switched back on Sunday evening in opposition to public outrage and a growing anti-nuclear protest movement throughout the country.

Hundreds of protesters blocked the road to the front gate of the power station on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, as they faced off against riot police and pledged to stay there day and night, reports Al-jazeera.

However, plant operator, Kansai Electric said Sunday it already had enough workers on hand for the restart.

Last month Noda ordered the restarts of reactors No 3 and No 4, at the Oi plant, as he continued his campaign of hooking the country back onto nuclear power.

Up to 200,000 protesters had gathered Friday evening in central Tokyo, chanting, "No to nuclear restarts" outside of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's home.

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Anti nuclear activists hold placards during a demonstration on a street in Tokyo.(Agence France-Presse)

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