Tokyo: Japan is preparing to restart a nuclear reactor operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company for the first time since the Fukushima disaster more than a decade ago. The company plans to bring one unit of the Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture back online from January 20 next year, marking a major shift in the country’s energy policy.
The move comes after the Niigata prefectural assembly approved the restart, clearing a key local hurdle. Final safety checks and inspections are now under way before operations can begin.
Kashiwazaki Kariwa is the largest nuclear power plant in the world by capacity. The first unit to be restarted is expected to strengthen electricity supply in the Tokyo region and support millions of households, especially during periods of high demand.
The operator has said the restart will follow strict safety standards introduced after the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima. It has assured authorities and the public that lessons from that disaster have been fully reflected in plant operations, emergency systems, and security measures.
Japan shut down all its nuclear reactors after the Fukushima crisis, which deeply damaged public trust in nuclear power. Since then, only a limited number of reactors have resumed operations, and none were run by the Fukushima plant’s operator until now. This makes the Kashiwazaki Kariwa restart particularly significant.
The plant has remained idle for years due to safety reviews, regulatory concerns, and strong local opposition. While political approval has now been secured, public concern continues, with residents expressing worries about disaster risks and evacuation readiness.
The Japanese government has been promoting nuclear restarts as part of its efforts to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, control energy costs, and cut carbon emissions. Nuclear power is seen as an important part of the country’s long term energy security and climate strategy.
Observers say the success or failure of this restart will play a crucial role in shaping Japan’s nuclear future, as the country balances safety concerns with growing energy needs.