Japan is moving closer to restarting the world’s largest nuclear power plant, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The governor of Niigata prefecture has given preliminary approval, marking a significant step in the country’s energy policy shift.
On Friday, November 21, Hideyo Hanazumi, the governor of Niigata, announced his approval for the partial restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant. This decision comes after years of debate and safety upgrades following the Fukushima meltdown. The plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), has been idle since the 2011 disaster. Hanazumi’s green light is a crucial milestone, but it still requires approval from the prefectural assembly and Japan’s nuclear regulator.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, located on the Sea of Japan coast, is the largest nuclear facility in the world by generating capacity. Its restart would be the first for Tepco since the Fukushima incident, where three reactors melted down after a massive earthquake and tsunami. The company has faced significant financial and reputational challenges, including paying trillions of yen in damages and decommissioning costs for Fukushima.
Safety concerns remain a key issue, with the plant now equipped with enhanced measures such as a 15-meter tsunami wall, new backup power systems on higher ground, and other upgrades to prevent a repeat of the 2011 catastrophe. These improvements are part of Japan’s stricter nuclear safety standards imposed after Fukushima, which have allowed 14 other reactors to resume operations, mostly in western and southern Japan.
Public opinion in Niigata is divided, with a recent survey showing 50% of residents support the restart, while 47% oppose it. Additionally, nearly 70% expressed concerns about Tepco’s ability to manage the plant safely. The governor plans to discuss the decision with the prefectural assembly in December, where he will seek formal approval, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between authorities and the community.
The push to restart nuclear power is driven by Japan’s energy needs and environmental goals. As a resource-poor nation, Japan relies heavily on imported fossil fuels, which account for about 70% of its electricity and cost around $500 million per day. Reviving nuclear energy is seen as essential to reduce carbon emissions, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and meet growing energy demands, including from artificial intelligence technologies.
Japan’s energy policy has evolved since Fukushima, with the government aiming for nuclear power to supply about 20% of electricity by 2040, up from 5.6% in 2022. A recent law allows reactors to operate beyond 60 years to compensate for shutdowns, supporting this transition. The restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa symbolizes a broader shift back to atomic energy, balancing economic and environmental considerations.
If approved, the restart will begin with the No. 6 reactor, followed by No. 7, and could pave the way for further nuclear reactivations. This move is part of Tepco’s business reconstruction plan and aligns with national efforts to enhance energy security. However, it also underscores the delicate balance between technological advancement and public safety in post-Fukushima Japan.
