Tokyo, Jan 21 — Japan is set to restart the world’s largest nuclear power plant on Wednesday, returning to atomic energy 15 years after the Fukushima disaster triggered a nationwide shutdown of reactors and shattered public trust in the sector.
Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) said it is “proceeding with preparations” to restart one reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata province at around 7 pm local time (10:00 GMT). The restart comes despite lingering public unease over safety, particularly the risk posed by seismic activity in the region.
A petition opposing the move, signed by around 40,000 people, has raised concerns about the plant’s location in an earthquake-prone region and TEPCO’s safety record following the 2011 Fukushima triple meltdown. The nuclear disaster was triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 18,000 people and prompted Japan to shut down all 54 of its nuclear reactors.
Only one of the plant’s seven reactors will be brought online initially. When fully operational, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa can generate 8.2 gigawatts of electricity—enough to supply power to millions of households—making it the largest nuclear facility in the world by capacity.
Spread across 4.2 square kilometres on the coast of the Sea of Japan, the plant’s restart signals a clear policy shift as Tokyo looks to shore up energy security. Japan has faced delays in expanding offshore wind capacity and remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels.
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa will become the 15th nuclear plant to resume operations out of 33 reactors deemed operable. Beyond restarts, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has also backed the construction of new reactors, stressing the government’s renewed commitment to nuclear power.
The government recently announced a new state funding scheme to accelerate Japan’s nuclear revival, even as public opposition continues to shadow the country’s return to atomic energy.