A new survey finds nearly three-quarters of Japanese citizens say they want to see nuclear power gradually phased-out as a source of energy in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster.

The survey by the Asahi newspaper was taken as the government continues to grapple with the world's worst nuclear crisis since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. The crippled Fukushima plant has leaked radiation since its cooling systems failed during the March 11 earthquake and disaster, causing a meltdown of its reactors.

More than 60 percent of those asked say they believe renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, will replace nuclear power in the future.