The economy prevailed over nuclear power in the minds of voters in Sunday's general election, dealing a setback to antinuclear parties, including the newly established Nippon Mirai no To (Tomorrow Party of Japan) and the Social Democratic Party.

Even so, pundits and antinuclear activists insist that although the traditionally pronuclear Liberal Democratic Party won by a landslide, securing 294 seats, a solid majority in the chamber, it doesn't follow that the public supports nuclear power.

Nippon Mirai now has just nine seats, compared with 62 before the election. The SDP held onto only two of its five seats, while the Japanese Communist Party took eight.