The deadly volcanic eruption of Mount Ontake over the weekend may strengthen the argument of activists campaigning to keep the country¡¯s 48 reactors shut.

Japan¡¯s atomic plants are offline for safety checks as a result of the earthquake and tsunami that caused the meltdown of three reactors in Fukushima more than three years ago.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority has said two reactors at a plant run by Kyushu Electric Power Co. meet new safety standards, indicating they are closest to restarting.