Japan approves restart of world's largest nuclear plant after Fukushima

Japanese authorities have greenlit the restart of a reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the largest such facility in the world, in a landmark decision following the 2011 Fukushima catastrophe. The approval from Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi targets a March 2026 operational date for Reactor No. 7, signaling a major step in Japan's return to nuclear energy.

A Facility Idle for Over a Decade

The sprawling 8.2-gigawatt Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, which houses seven reactors, has been completely offline since 2012. Its shutdown was part of a nationwide reckoning with nuclear safety after the Fukushima Daiichi meltdowns, which were triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami. The Japanese government is now championing the restart, framing nuclear power as an essential component of a stable and carbon-free energy mix.

Local Approval and Safety Reviews

The restart process now moves to the Niigata prefectural assembly, which begins its review in early December. This local consultation is a critical final step before the central government can be notified that all procedures are complete. The push for restart follows a technical committee report in February that identified no outstanding safety issues, affirming the plant's compliance with post-Fukushima regulations.

Financial and Operational Implications

For the plant's operator, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), reviving the facility is a crucial financial pillar. The company has stated that revenues generated from the plant's operation will help fund compensation for those affected by the Fukushima disaster. With nuclear fuel already loaded into Reactor No. 7, the path is clear for its potential activation by the end of March 2026, pending final local assent.