In nuke-weary Japan, protests and distractions

>>> tomorrow it will be one month since the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck japan , a country still in ruins and still trying to contain a nuclear disaster . today brought signs of growing anger and frustration, but also of a desire to move on. nbc's lee cowen is in tokyo again for us tonight.

>> reporter: if there's a measure of the unease over japan 's nuclear crisis, this was it. at least 5,000 turned out to demonstrate in front of tepco today. the utility now responsible for bringing their stricken nuclear plant under control. it's not the first protest against nuclear power . but it is the largest. and the longer this crisis goes on, the less patience everyone has.

>> we've had enough. that's why people are here.

>> reporter: it's taken a month for that frustration to build to this level. fukushima casts a long shadow over this landscape. but not as long as the destruction along the coastline that stretches for miles. where bodies are still being found. it's that daily misery that many are wondering just how to escape. and one answer, it seems, may be baseball. japan 's adopted pastime has some of the most devoted fans outside the u.s. the game between the hiroshima cards and tokyo throwers they look like any other season opener except that this is anything but.

>> i think this strikes the right balance between trying to move forward but also getting money to people.

>> reporter: the regular season actually starts this week. it had been delayed. partly out of respect. and partly out of necessity. most of the stadiums in the north are badly damaged, this pitcher told us. including the one in his hometown. but for one afternoon, the score board dimmed and the stadium lights off to save electricity, the game went on. echoes of a happier town, churned out, one pitch at a time. lee cowen, nbc news, tokyo .