Japanese authorities approved the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant on Friday, marking the first step toward resuming operations since the 2011 Fukushima disaster devastated the country’s atomic energy program.
Governor Hideyo Hanazumi of Niigata province confirmed he “would approve” the resumption, which still requires final clearance from Japan’s nuclear regulator before the massive plant can begin producing electricity again.
Read more : Japan tells citizens in China to stay safe as relations sour
The 400-hectare facility, operated by Tepco, was taken offline after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami triggered meltdowns at Fukushima, killing around 18,000 people and forcing Japan to rely heavily on imported fossil fuels.
To meet modern safety standards, the plant now features a 15-metre tsunami wall, elevated power backup systems, and other protective measures, ensuring robust defense against natural disasters and operational risks.
Read more : Japan PM’s Taiwan comment sparks sharp China backlash
Japan seeks to revive nuclear energy to reduce fossil fuel dependency, meet growing power demands driven by artificial intelligence, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with nuclear expected to supply 20 percent of electricity by 2040.
Nearly 70 percent of Japan’s electricity currently comes from coal, gas, and oil, costing about $500 million per day, while the nation also plans to expand renewables to become its top power source by 2040.