Japan Moves Forward with Nuclear Revival as Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Plant Prepares to Restart
In a pivotal moment for Japan's energy future, the world's largest nuclear power plant has cleared its final regulatory hurdle, marking a significant step in the nation's controversial return to atomic energy nearly 15 years after the devastating Fukushima disaster.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, situated 220 kilometres northwest of Tokyo, represents more than just another power plant coming online. It symbolises Japan's complex relationship with nuclear energy and the ongoing tension between energy security and public safety concerns.
A Community Divided
Niigata prefecture's assembly voted to support Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who backed the restart last month, effectively clearing the path for operations to resume. However, the decision has exposed deep fractures within the local community.
Outside the assembly building, approximately 300 protesters braved the cold, holding banners declaring 'No Nukes' and 'We oppose the restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa'. Their presence underscored the profound unease many residents feel about nuclear power's return to their region.
"I am truly angry from the bottom of my heart," said Kenichiro Ishiyama, a 77-year-old protester from Niigata city. "If something was to happen at the plant, we would be the ones to suffer the consequences."
This sentiment reflects broader public scepticism. A prefecture survey from October revealed that 60% of residents believe conditions for the restart have not been met, while nearly 70% expressed concern about Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) operating the facility.
The Shadow of Fukushima
The restart carries particular significance as Kashiwazaki-Kariwa will be the first plant operated by TEPCO since the company's management of the Fukushima Daiichi facility led to the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami resulted in the shutdown of all 54 of Japan's nuclear reactors.
For Ayako Oga, the debate is deeply personal. The 52-year-old farmer fled the Fukushima exclusion zone in 2011 alongside 160,000 other evacuees and has since become an anti-nuclear activist in Niigata.
"We know firsthand the risk of a nuclear accident and cannot dismiss it," said Oga, who continues to experience trauma-related symptoms from the Fukushima disaster. "As a victim of the Fukushima nuclear accident, I wish that no one, whether in Japan or anywhere in the world, ever again suffers the damage of a nuclear accident."
Economic Pressures Drive Policy
Despite public resistance, economic realities are pushing Japan toward nuclear revival. The country spent 10.7 trillion yen (£54 billion) on imported liquefied natural gas and coal last year, representing a tenth of its total import costs. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has championed nuclear restarts as essential for energy security and cost reduction.
TEPCO has attempted to win local support by pledging 100 billion yen (£641 million) investment in Niigata prefecture over the next decade. The restart promises new employment opportunities and potentially lower electricity bills for residents.
The plant's massive 8.2 gigawatt capacity could power several million homes. Initial plans suggest the first reactor could begin operations as early as January 20th, with a second unit potentially coming online around 2030.
Climate Goals Versus Safety Concerns
Japan's nuclear revival forms part of broader climate commitments. The government aims to double nuclear power's share in the electricity mix to 20% by 2040, supporting decarbonisation goals while meeting rising energy demand from power-hungry AI data centres.
Since Fukushima, Japan has restarted only 14 of its 33 remaining operable reactors. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa's restart could boost electricity supply to the Tokyo region by 2%, according to trade ministry estimates.
However, even Governor Hanazumi, who supported the restart, acknowledges public concerns. "I want to see an era where we don't have to rely on energy sources that cause anxiety," he stated last month.
TEPCO spokesperson Masakatsu Takata emphasised the company's commitment to safety: "We remain firmly committed to never repeating such an accident and ensuring Niigata residents never experience anything similar."
As Japan navigates between energy security and public safety, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart represents a critical test of whether the nation can rebuild trust in nuclear power while honouring the lessons of Fukushima.