Japanese authorities have approved the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, located in Niigata prefecture. This decision marks a significant shift for Japan, which has relied heavily on fossil fuels since the catastrophic Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. The plant has remained dormant for over a decade, and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) plans to bring the No. 6 reactor back online around January 20, 2024, according to public broadcaster NHK.
The Niigata prefectural assembly approved the restart bill on Monday, despite concerns from local residents about safety. Following the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that led to the Fukushima disaster—considered the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl—Japan had shut down all of its 54 nuclear reactors. Currently, Japan has restarted 14 of the 33 operable reactors, but the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant will be the first under TEPCO’s management since the Fukushima incident.
TEPCO has been actively working to reassure residents about the safety of the restart. Masakatsu Takata, a spokesperson for TEPCO, stated, “We remain firmly committed to never repeating such an accident and ensuring Niigata residents never experience anything similar,” as reported by Reuters. Before the Fukushima disaster, nuclear energy accounted for approximately 30% of Japan’s electricity production. Since then, reliance on imported fossil fuels has surged, constituting around 60–70% of the country’s power generation needs.
Japan’s energy costs have escalated, with fossil fuel imports costing the country approximately 10.7 trillion yen ($68 billion) in the past year alone. Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s Prime Minister, has advocated for a revival of the nuclear sector to reduce costs and tackle economic stagnation and inflation. However, Japan remains the world’s fifth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, trailing only behind China, the United States, India, and Russia. As such, the nation aims for net-zero emissions by 2050.
In its latest energy plan, Japan highlights a commitment to doubling the share of nuclear energy in its electricity mix to 20% by 2040. This initiative also coincides with increasing energy demands driven by the growth of data centers supporting artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Residents of Niigata express mixed feelings about the nuclear revival. A local resident, Ayako Oga, who relocated after fleeing the Fukushima disaster, voiced her apprehensions: “We know firsthand the risk of a nuclear accident and cannot dismiss it.” A survey conducted in October by the Niigata prefecture revealed that 60% of residents believe the conditions for restarting the plant have not been met, and nearly 70% are concerned about TEPCO’s management.
TEPCO has emphasized that the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant has undergone extensive inspections and upgrades since the Fukushima incident. The company stated on its website that new seawalls and watertight doors provide enhanced protection against tsunamis. Additionally, mobile generators and increased fire truck availability will support cooling measures during emergencies. The plant has also implemented upgraded filtration systems aimed at controlling the spread of radioactive materials.
In late October, TEPCO declared Unit 6 fit for startup after conducting a full round of integrity checks, marking a critical step towards the plant’s reopening. As Japan navigates this pivotal moment in its energy policy, the balance between safety concerns and energy needs will remain a focal point for the nation and its residents.
