Japan is set to restart two of its nuclear reactors within the next three weeks, signalling an end to the nuclear shutdown which began after the Fukushima disaster last March, according to reports.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (pictured) is said to have ordered the reactors at the Oi power plant in Fukui Prefecture back online to avoid power shortages over the summer, after Issei Nishikawa, the Governor of Fukui gave his consent.

The 50 reactors in Japan were closed following the meltdown at the Fukushima Dai-chi plant caused by the deadly earthquake and tsunami.