For the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, Japan is poised to restart a nuclear reactor operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), marking a pivotal shift in the nation’s energy landscape. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, located in Niigata prefecture about 220 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, will see its No. 6 reactor brought back online on January 20, 2026. This move, widely reported by outlets such as Kyodo, CNN, and the Associated Press, signals Japan’s most significant step yet toward reviving its nuclear industry after more than a decade of hesitation and public debate.
The journey to this restart has been anything but straightforward. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant—also operated by TEPCO—prompted the shutdown of all 54 nuclear reactors across the country. The disaster was the world’s worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986, and its shadow has loomed large over Japanese energy policy ever since. According to CNN, Japan has since restarted only 14 of the 33 reactors that remain technically operable, with the rest either decommissioned or still offline.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility itself is the largest nuclear power plant in the world, boasting seven reactors and a total capacity of 8.2 gigawatts—enough to supply several million homes. Yet, all seven reactors have been idle since March 2012, as public trust in nuclear safety plummeted. The plant’s No. 6 and No. 7 reactors passed regulatory safety screenings in 2017, but further progress was halted due to shortcomings in counterterrorism measures and safeguarding problems identified in 2021. The Nuclear Regulation Authority eventually lifted its operational ban in 2023, but local consent was still required before any restart could proceed.
This crucial local approval came on December 23, 2025, when Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi formally gave his consent to restart Units 6 and 7 after a series of meetings with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa. As reported by AP, Hanazumi described the decision as “heavy and difficult,” acknowledging the weight of local anxieties. He emphasized, “There is no end in terms of ensuring the safety of Niigata residents,” and insisted that safety explanations and evacuation route development must remain priorities. Hanazumi also asked Prime Minister Takaichi to visit the plant herself to observe the safety measures firsthand.
Prime Minister Takaichi, who took office in October 2025, has made no secret of her support for nuclear power. She pledged that the government would ensure TEPCO continues strengthening safety protocols, telling Hanazumi she “deeply respects his decision” and promising continued oversight. The ruling coalition, including the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, views nuclear energy as essential for reducing Japan’s heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels and for achieving ambitious climate goals.
The financial and environmental stakes are high. According to CNN, Japan currently imports 60–70% of its electricity from fossil fuels, at a cost of about 10.7 trillion yen ($68 billion) in 2024 alone. Before Fukushima, nuclear power accounted for around 30% of the country’s electricity. Now, with energy demands rising—especially due to new data centers powering artificial intelligence infrastructure—Japan aims to double nuclear’s share to 20% by 2040 and reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Yet, the memory of Fukushima is far from faded. Many local residents remain deeply skeptical of TEPCO’s assurances, haunted by past failures. A survey conducted by the Niigata prefecture in October 2025 found that 60% of residents did not believe conditions for a safe restart had been met, and nearly 70% expressed concerns about TEPCO’s management. Ayako Oga, a resident who fled Fukushima and settled in Niigata, told Reuters, “We know firsthand the risk of a nuclear accident and cannot dismiss it.” She recounted ongoing trauma and post-traumatic stress-like symptoms from her experience.
Public opposition has been visible and vocal. On December 22, 2025, around 300 protesters gathered outside the Niigata prefectural assembly to voice their disapproval of the restart. Kenichiro Ishiyama, a 77-year-old protester from Niigata city, was quoted by Reuters as saying, “I am truly angry from the bottom of my heart. If something was to happen at the plant, we would be the ones to suffer the consequences.”
Despite these concerns, the Niigata prefectural assembly approved a supplementary budget linked to the restart and passed a vote of confidence in Governor Hanazumi, effectively endorsing his decision. The local government’s support was seen as the final hurdle before TEPCO could proceed. Tomoaki Kobayakawa, TEPCO’s president, announced on December 24, 2025, that the company would submit an application to Japan’s nuclear regulators for final equipment checks ahead of the scheduled restart of Unit 6.
TEPCO has been eager to reassure the public that lessons from Fukushima have been learned. On its website and in statements to the media, the company has highlighted a suite of safety upgrades at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa: new seawalls and watertight doors to guard against tsunamis, mobile generators and additional fire trucks for emergency cooling, and upgraded filtering systems designed to control the spread of radioactive materials. In late October 2025, TEPCO conducted a “full round of integrity checks” at Unit 6, declaring the reactor fit for startup.
Nevertheless, some experts and residents remain wary, noting that Japan still lacks a comprehensive plan for nuclear waste management or full nuclear fuel reprocessing. The restart also comes at a time when the country is grappling with the aftermath of a January 2024 earthquake in the nearby Noto region, which rekindled fears about the plant’s resilience in the face of natural disasters and the adequacy of evacuation procedures.
Governor Hanazumi has outlined seven requests related to the restart, including transparent updates on plant safety and the development of evacuation routes. Industry Minister Akazawa assured him that the government would “give top priority to explaining the situation whenever requested,” and TEPCO President Kobayakawa received similar written requests for ongoing safety improvements.
Japan’s nuclear future remains a subject of intense debate. Supporters argue that restarting reactors is essential for energy security, economic stability, and meeting climate commitments. Critics counter that the risks, both human and environmental, are too great, especially given TEPCO’s history and the enduring trauma of Fukushima. As the No. 6 reactor at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa prepares to power up, the eyes of a nation—and indeed the world—will be watching closely, weighing the promise of clean energy against the lessons of a tragic past.
With the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart, Japan stands at a crossroads, balancing the urgent demands of energy and climate with the unyielding imperative of public trust and safety. The next chapter in the country’s nuclear story is about to unfold.
