Japan Nears Restart of World’s Largest Nuclear Plant

World 09:48 AM - 2025-12-22

TEPCO’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant on the coast of Niigata, Japan.

Japan is poised to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the largest nuclear facility in the world, nearly 15 years after all reactors were shut down in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster. 

On Monday, the Niigata prefectural assembly was expected to vote on a proposal that would allow operations at the plant to resume, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s gradual return to nuclear energy. 

The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa complex, located roughly 220 km north-west of Tokyo, was among dozens of reactors taken offline following the earthquake and tsunami that damaged the Fukushima Daiichi plant — the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. 

Step Forward for Nuclear Energy Policy

If approved, the restart would be the first for a reactor operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) since the Fukushima disaster. TEPCO has pledged significant investment to the local community as part of efforts to secure support for the project. 

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has backed the return to nuclear power, describing it as vital for energy security and for reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, which account for a large proportion of Japan’s electricity generation. 

Broader Energy Context

Since the Fukushima accident, Japan has slowly brought a number of nuclear reactors back online under stringent safety standards. Restarting Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is seen as a key moment in reshaping Japan’s long-term energy strategy, which also aims to expand low-carbon energy sources and meet growing electricity demand. 

The plant’s restart — anticipated to begin with unit approvals and subsequent safety checks — is expected to provide a modest boost to electricity supply and contribute to national efforts to balance energy security with environmental goals.

Sources: KSL News, Reuters, and VnExpress Intl.


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