Japan has taken a significant step towards restarting the world’s largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, located approximately 220 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. The move comes nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster, which led to the shutdown of 54 reactors in the country. On Monday, Niigata prefecture’s assembly passed a vote of confidence in Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who had backed the restart last month, effectively allowing the plant to begin operations again.
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), has a total capacity of 8.2 gigawatts, enough to power several million homes. The pending restart would bring one 1.36 gigawatt unit online next year and another with the same capacity around 2030. This development is part of Japan’s efforts to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and meet its decarbonization commitments. The country aims to double the share of nuclear power in its electricity mix to 20% by 2040.
Since the Fukushima disaster, Japan has restarted 14 of the 33 remaining operable reactors. The restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is seen as a milestone, but Governor Hanazumi emphasized that ensuring the safety of Niigata residents is an ongoing process. TEPCO has also reaffirmed its commitment to preventing similar accidents in the future.
Japan’s energy demand is expected to rise over the coming decade, driven in part by the growth of power-hungry AI data centers, despite a shrinking population. The country spent 10.7 trillion yen ($68 billion) on imported liquefied natural gas and coal last year, highlighting the need to diversify its energy sources. The restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is a significant step towards achieving Japan’s energy goals and reducing its reliance on imported fuels. TEPCO is considering reactivating the first of seven reactors at the plant on January 20, marking a new chapter in Japan’s nuclear energy landscape.
