Japan’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the world’s largest by potential capacity, has restarted its operations after a long hiatus. This move, which took place on January 23, 2025, is part of the country’s broader effort to revive its nuclear energy sector after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. However, the restart has sparked heated debates, with opposition from a significant portion of the local population and safety concerns continuing to loom.
The plant’s only currently operational reactor, Unit 7, was restarted at 19:02 GMT, according to Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which operates the facility. While the regional governor of Niigata prefecture approved the restart last month, public opinion remains sharply divided. A recent survey revealed that 60% of local residents oppose the plant’s reopening, while only 37% support it.
Protests erupted near the plant, with dozens of elderly residents braving freezing temperatures to voice their concerns. “It’s Tokyo’s electricity that is produced in Kashiwazaki, so why should the people here be put at risk? That makes no sense,” said Yumiko Abe, a 73-year-old protester.
The decision to restart the plant comes after years of intense scrutiny over Japan’s reliance on nuclear energy. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which led to the catastrophic meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, prompted Japan to shut down most of its nuclear reactors. Since then, the country has turned to fossil fuels to meet its energy needs, making it one of the world’s largest carbon emitters.
However, as Japan seeks to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the government has begun to reconsider nuclear energy as part of its energy mix. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has voiced support for nuclear power, which is projected to account for around 20% of Japan’s energy supply by 2040.
Despite the restart, concerns about safety persist. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan, has been fitted with a 15-meter-high tsunami wall and other safety upgrades. However, residents remain anxious, particularly given the plant’s location on an active seismic fault zone. “We can’t remove the fear of being hit by another unforeseen earthquake,” said a petition submitted by seven anti-restart groups, which was signed by nearly 40,000 people.
TEPCO has pledged to proceed with a “careful verification of each plant facility’s integrity” and address any issues transparently. However, recent incidents, such as a failed alarm system test, have raised questions about the company’s commitment to safety. “Safety is an ongoing process, which means operators involved in nuclear power must never be arrogant or overconfident,” said TEPCO President Tomoaki Kobayakawa.
The restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is part of a broader push by Japan to expand its nuclear energy sector and reduce its reliance on coal, gas, and oil. The country aims to cut its fossil fuel consumption to 30-40% of its energy mix by 2040, down from nearly 70% in 2023.
As Japan grapples with the challenge of balancing energy security, environmental concerns, and public safety, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart highlights the contentious role that nuclear energy continues to play in the nation’s energy future.
