Desitdown News (Japan to restart world’s biggest nuclear plant after 15 year shutdown)

Описание: Japan is set to restart operations at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station, the world’s largest nuclear plant, marking a major shift in the country’s energy policy nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster forced its shutdown.

The plant, located in Niigata prefecture along Japan’s northwest coast, has been offline since 2011 when a powerful earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi, leading authorities to suspend nuclear operations nationwide. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), has a total capacity of more than eight gigawatts, making it the biggest nuclear facility in the world by output.
The restart will begin with Reactor No. 6, following years of safety upgrades, inspections and regulatory approval under Japan’s post-Fukushima nuclear standards. These include strengthened seawalls, improved emergency power systems, enhanced earthquake resistance and stricter security controls. TEPCO said the reactor was brought online cautiously and will gradually increase output as safety checks continue.

The move reflects Japan’s growing reliance on nuclear power to bolster energy security, reduce fuel import costs and cut carbon emissions. Since the Fukushima disaster, Japan has depended heavily on imported liquefied natural gas, coal and oil, leaving the country vulnerable to global price swings and supply disruptions.
Government officials say restarting Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is critical to stabilizing electricity supplies and supporting Japan’s climate commitments. However, the decision remains controversial. Local residents and anti-nuclear groups have expressed concern over TEPCO’s safety record and the plant’s location in a seismically active region.

While some reactors across Japan have already returned to service, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa’s scale and symbolic importance make its restart particularly significant. It is the first time a TEPCO-operated reactor has resumed operations since Fukushima.

Energy analysts say the restart could pave the way for additional reactors to come back online, potentially reshaping Japan’s energy mix for decades. Still, public trust remains fragile, and authorities face continued pressure to demonstrate transparency, preparedness and accountability as nuclear power re-enters the national spotlight.

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