Japan approves reactivation of the world’s largest nuclear plant

Disabled since the Fukushima disaster, local authorities gave the go-ahead for the restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa. Voting took place amid protests from residents.

Japan has taken a final step to allow the world’s largest nuclear plant to resume operations, nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster, following approval from local authorities.

The legislative assembly of Niigata Prefecture approved this Monday (22/12) a decision by Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, announced last month, which allows the resumption of operations at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, located about 220 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, was among 54 reactors closed after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that shut down the Fukushima nuclear plant in the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

Since then, Japan has restarted 14 of the country’s 33 reactors that remain operationally viable, seeking to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and meet the growing energy needs of artificial intelligence.

First Tepco plant to be reactivated

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa will be the first nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) to resume operations since the Fukushima disaster. Tepco was the operator of the plant damaged by a tsunami.

Despite widespread public opposition, Japan’s nuclear regulator declared Kashiwazaki-Kariwa reactors 6 and 7 safe in 2017, saying they met more stringent safety standards introduced after Fukushima.

With approval now granted, local media reported that reactor unit 6 is expected to restart as early as next month.

Tepco has long sought permission to reactivate its nuclear reactors to reduce the high costs of importing fuel for thermal power generation.

Resumption divides population

Although lawmakers voted in favor of Hanazumi, the assembly session, the last of the year, exposed community divisions over resuming operations despite new jobs and the possibility of lower electricity bills.

“This is nothing more than a political agreement that does not take into account the will of Niigata residents,” said an assembly member opposed to resuming operations, as voting was about to begin.

Outside, around 300 protesters stood in the cold holding banners reading “No to nuclear weapons”, “We oppose the resumption of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa operations” and “Support Fukushima”.

“I am truly furious,” Kenichiro Ishiyama, a 77-year-old protester from the city of Niigata, told Reuters after the vote. “If something happens at the plant, we will be the ones who suffer the consequences.”

According to a survey published by the local administration in October, 60% of the region’s residents do not believe that the conditions for resumption have been met. Almost 70% are concerned that Tepco will be the operator of the plant.

Originally published by DW on 12/22/2025