Japan Moves to Restart World’s Largest Nuclear Plant After Fukushima

Post by : Saif Nasser

Japan is taking a major step back toward nuclear energy nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster changed the country forever. On Monday, the Niigata regional assembly approved a move that clears the way for the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the largest nuclear facility in the world.

The plant, located on Japan’s northwest coast, was shut down after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. That disaster forced Japan to turn off all its nuclear reactors and rethink its energy policy. For many people, Fukushima remains a painful memory of fear, evacuation, and long-term damage.

Since then, Japan has slowly brought some reactors back online. Out of the 54 reactors shut after Fukushima, only 14 have been restarted so far. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa will be the first nuclear plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to resume operations since the disaster. TEPCO was also the company that ran the Fukushima plant.

The decision came after the Niigata assembly passed a vote of confidence in Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who recently supported the restart. This vote was seen as the final political approval needed before operations can begin. Japanese media reports say TEPCO may restart the first of the plant’s seven reactors as early as January.

Supporters of the restart say it is necessary for Japan’s energy security. The country depends heavily on imported fossil fuels such as gas and coal, which make up around two-thirds of its electricity supply. These imports are expensive and vulnerable to global price changes. Restarting the plant could supply about 2% of the electricity used in the Tokyo area and reduce Japan’s fuel costs.

Japan’s new prime minister has backed nuclear restarts to ensure stable energy supplies and meet climate goals. The government plans to double the share of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix to 20% by 2040. Officials also expect electricity demand to rise due to new technologies, including large data centres that support artificial intelligence.

However, public concern remains strong. Around 300 people gathered outside the Niigata assembly building to protest the decision. Many carried signs reading “No Nukes” and “Never Forget Fukushima.” The protesters included older residents and survivors of the Fukushima disaster who fear history could repeat itself.

One of them, Ayako Oga, moved to Niigata after fleeing her home near Fukushima in 2011. She said the trauma from that event still affects her today. For her and many others, the restart of a large nuclear plant feels like a return to danger rather than progress.

Surveys show that most Niigata residents are uneasy about the restart. About 60% believe conditions are not safe enough, and nearly 70% worry about TEPCO’s ability to run the plant safely. To win support, TEPCO has promised to invest heavily in the region over the next ten years. Even so, trust remains fragile.

TEPCO has said it is committed to preventing another nuclear accident and ensuring the safety of local communities. Still, critics argue that no amount of preparation can fully remove the risks of nuclear power, especially in an earthquake-prone country like Japan.

Even Governor Hanazumi has expressed mixed feelings. While he supports the restart for now, he hopes Japan will one day rely on energy sources that do not cause fear and anxiety among the public.

The restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa marks a turning point in Japan’s energy debate. It reflects a nation trying to balance safety, memory, and future needs. Whether this decision strengthens Japan or deepens public concern will become clearer in the years ahead.