A well-known pro-nuclear power city mayor in Japan has defeated an anti-nuclear power opponent in an election, reports Japan Herald. The event can be considered as a setback to the antinuclear movement that has grown in Japan since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.

Mayor Shigemi Kashiwabara secured 1,868 votes, which is over twice the 905 votes recorded for his challenger. Prior to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, The Chugoku Electric Power Co.'s had plans for a nuclear-power plant construction in Kaminoseki, the city where Shigemi Kashiwabara.

However, Japan Herald estimates that it is still unclear whether Kashiwabara's victory will provide a green signal to resume nuclear plant construction.

Though Kashiwabara continues backing nuclear power, he played down his views in his campaign by saying that the central government is empowered to take a final decision.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda had earlier said he would restart nuclear reactors by 2012, as they are indispensable for the country.