Japan moves to restart largest nuclear plant after 15 years unit

Japan is preparing to bring part of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant back online after regional authorities approved a measure clearing the way for operations to resume. The Niigata prefectural assembly backed the plan for the Tokyo Electric Power Company-run facility, with the No. 6 reactor expected to return to electricity generation from January 20, according to Japanese media.

From Fukushima shutdowns to nuclear comeback

Following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, Japan halted all 54 of its reactors, reshaping national energy policy. Fifteen years on, escalating fuel import bills and concerns over energy security have pushed Tokyo to reconsider nuclear power. Located about 220 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa’s restart is seen as both a symbolic and strategic signal of this policy shift.

Safety measures and local investment pledges

TEPCO says it has reinforced safety at the site with new seawalls, watertight doors, mobile generators and upgraded filtration systems. To address local concerns, the company has also pledged investments worth 100 billion yen over a decade for Niigata Prefecture. “We are determined to ensure that such an accident never happens again,” TEPCO spokesperson Masakatsu Takata said.

Public concern and energy demand pressures

Despite political approval, skepticism remains strong among residents, many of whom cite lingering distrust after Fukushima. Protests accompanied the assembly vote, with demonstrators urging authorities not to forget past nuclear risks. The government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, argues that nuclear energy is essential as electricity demand rises, driven partly by artificial intelligence data centers. Officials aim to lift nuclear power’s share of electricity generation to 20 percent by 2040, a debate resonating in Türkiye and other countries balancing growth, security and energy choices.