Kashiwazaki-Kariwa prepares for historic return
Activity is intensifying around the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant on Japan’s Sea of Japan coast, as Tokyo Electric Power prepares to restart one of its seven reactors for the first time in more than a decade. The sprawling facility in Niigata prefecture is the largest nuclear power plant in the world, capable of generating 8.2 gigawatts of electricity when fully operational.
The plant has remained idle since 2012, shut down in the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in March 2011. That accident, triggered by a powerful tsunami, led to reactor meltdowns and the evacuation of roughly 160,000 people, permanently altering Japan’s energy policy and public trust in nuclear power.
Restart delayed but imminent
Tepco initially planned to restart reactor No. 6 this week, a move that would increase electricity supply to the Tokyo region by about 2%. The restart was delayed after an alarm malfunctioned during equipment testing, but public broadcaster NHK reported the reactor is still expected to go back online in the coming days.
The restart would mark a major step in Japan’s gradual return to nuclear energy, which the government views as essential for reducing carbon emissions and strengthening energy security amid rising power demand.
Local residents voice deep concern
For many of the roughly 420,000 people living within a 30-kilometer radius of the plant, the restart is a source of anxiety rather than reassurance. Residents would be required to evacuate in the event of a serious accident, a prospect many say is unrealistic.
Ryusuke Yoshida, a 76-year-old potter living less than a mile and a half from the site, says evacuation plans fail to account for harsh winter conditions and an aging population. Snow frequently blocks roads in the area, raising fears that vulnerable residents could be trapped during an emergency.
Safety upgrades and skepticism
Tepco says it has learned from Fukushima and has invested heavily in safety upgrades. These include higher seawalls, watertight doors, mobile diesel generators, enhanced fire-fighting capabilities and improved filtering systems designed to limit the spread of radioactive material.
The company has also pledged to invest 100 billion yen in Niigata prefecture over the next decade as part of efforts to rebuild trust. Tepco insists that safety and local understanding are prerequisites for operating the plant.
Opposition remains strong
Despite these assurances, public opposition remains widespread. A prefectural survey conducted last year found that more than 60% of residents living near the plant believe conditions for restarting have not been met. Calls for a local referendum were rejected by authorities, further fueling resentment.
Local officials and activists point to seismic risks in the region, which was hit by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in 2007 that damaged parts of the plant and forced automatic reactor shutdowns. Recent revelations that another utility fabricated seismic data during a regulatory review have further eroded confidence in the nuclear industry.
National energy strategy at stake
Before Fukushima, nuclear power supplied about 30% of Japan’s electricity, with 54 reactors in operation. Today, only 14 of the country’s 33 operable reactors are online. Restart efforts elsewhere have faced delays and legal challenges due to strong local resistance.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart has become a symbol of Japan’s broader struggle to balance energy security, climate goals and public safety. For residents like Yoshida, the issue is about trust and accountability. He says the restart reflects political pressure rather than genuine local consent.
As Japan approaches the 15th anniversary of the Fukushima disaster, the debate surrounding Kashiwazaki-Kariwa underscores how deeply nuclear power remains intertwined with questions of safety, governance and public confidence.