Japan restarts the world's largest nuclear power plant in Kashiwazaki
In a historic move representing a radical shift in Japanese energy policy, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), operator of the world's largest nuclear power plant by generating capacity, announced the start of procedures to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant. The reactor is scheduled to return to operation on Wednesday, marking the plant's first restart since the complete shutdown following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, despite ongoing public debate and concerns regarding safety standards.
Restart details and schedule
In an official statement, the company detailed the precise technical process, noting that engineering teams are finalizing preparations for restarting the reactor. The plan includes removing the control rods—a crucial step for initiating a nuclear chain reaction—after 7:00 PM local time (10:00 GMT). The initial phase of the restart will involve only one of the seven reactors at the massive plant, reflecting a cautious and gradual approach to restoring nuclear power capacity.
The Shadows of the Fukushima Disaster and the Historical Context
This move comes at a highly sensitive historical juncture. Japan shut down all its nuclear reactors following the "triple tragedy" that struck the country in March 2011, when a devastating earthquake and tsunami caused meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. That disaster led to a comprehensive review of nuclear safety standards in Japan and globally, and the Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority imposed extremely stringent conditions for restarting any plant, which explains the lengthy period it took for the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant to receive the green light.
Japanese public opinion is divided between supporters and opponents
Despite the economic importance of the decision, Japanese public opinion remains deeply divided. The governor of Niigata Prefecture (in west-central Japan), where the plant is located, gave his official approval last month for the resumption of operations. However, opinion polls conducted by local authorities last September revealed a significant divide, with 60% of residents opposing the restart, compared to only 37% in favor. This opposition manifested itself on the ground, as dozens of protesters, mostly elderly, braved the freezing cold on Tuesday to demonstrate near the plant's entrance on the Sea of Japan coast.
Economic motives and energy strategy
The Japanese government aims to address pressing strategic challenges through this move. Since the reactor shutdowns, Japan's reliance on imported fossil fuels (gas and oil) has increased significantly, straining the trade budget and driving up electricity prices. Tokyo now aims to achieve several objectives:
- Reducing excessive reliance on imported and expensive energy sources.
- Meeting its climate commitments to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
- To meet the growing and unprecedented demand for electricity, which is fueled by the massive expansion of data centers and artificial intelligence technologies.
In this regard, the political leadership, represented by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, expressed its explicit support for the use of nuclear energy for civilian purposes, considering it a fundamental pillar of national energy security and the stability of the Japanese economy in the future.
