Key Japanese Official Gives Nod To Restart Of World’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant

A Japanese regional governor on Friday approved the partial restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant—the world’s largest—as the country intensifies efforts to revive its nuclear sector and reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports.

Niigata Prefecture Governor Hideyo Hanazumi’s approval removes the final major hurdle for plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) to move ahead with plans to restart one or two of the facility’s largest reactors.

With electricity demand expected to rise due to the expansion of data centers and semiconductor manufacturing, “it would be difficult to stop something that passed the country’s regulatory standards without any rational reason,” Hanazumi said at a press briefing.

He added that he would seek a vote of confidence from the prefectural assembly during its regular session beginning December 2.

Hanazumi noted that local residents’ concerns, continued safety assurances and emergency preparedness remain key issues requiring ongoing attention.

Japan’s industry minister, Ryosei Akazawa, said the approval—once endorsed by the assembly—would apply to reactors No. 6 and No. 7, the plant’s two largest units. He said Unit No. 6 alone could improve the supply-demand balance in the energy-hungry Tokyo area by 2%.

Together, the two reactors generate 2,710 megawatts of electricity, roughly one-third of the plant’s total capacity of 8,212 MW.

TEPCO has indicated plans to decommission some of the remaining five units.

In October, TEPCO completed checks at the No. 6 reactor—its priority for restart—after loading fuel, confirming that the main systems required for startup were functioning properly.

A restart would mark TEPCO’s first since the March 2011 tsunami crippled its Fukushima Daiichi plant. It would also represent a major milestone for Japan, which shut down all 54 operational reactors following the disaster, sharply increasing reliance on imported fossil fuels that remain vulnerable to global supply shocks.

Hanazumi said opinion within Niigata Prefecture remains divided, but providing accurate information about safety measures could help build public understanding.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who assumed office last month, has expressed support for restarting more nuclear reactors to bolster energy security and reduce the high cost of energy imports, which currently supply 60% to 70% of Japan’s electricity.

Japan spent 10.7 trillion yen ($68 billion) last year on imported liquefied natural gas and coal, representing roughly one-tenth of its total import bill.

“The restart … is extremely important from the perspective of reducing electricity prices and securing decarbonised power sources,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Friday.

Of the 54 reactors operating before Fukushima, Japan has restarted 14 of the 33 that remain operable. TEPCO continues to pay compensation for the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, the world’s worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986.