About 70 percent of the people surveyed by Kyodo news agency in an opinion poll during the weekend said they wish Japan would give up completely nuclear energy.

The respondents had to choose from three alternatives. The three options for nuclear energy as a proportion of total power generation in 2030 were zero percent, 15 percent or 20-25 percent, compared with 26 percent in fiscal 2010.

70 percent of the 88 people surveyed said they backed the zero alternative.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered in front of the Japanese prime minister’s office on Friday, in a fresh protest against the restart of nuclear reactors.

“I’m moved by the fact that people voluntarily take action against what can affect our lives,” said Ryuichi Sakamoto, a musician and composer, in front of an estimated 3,000 participants at the rally.

“And I’m coming here as one of you. Let’s keep expressing our voice,” Sakamoto added.

Prime minister Yoshihiko Noda ordered in June the restart of two nuclear reactors, despite strong public disagreement.