December 23, 2025 | 11:32 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japan is a step closer to restarting the world's largest nuclear power plant for the first time since the Fukushima disaster.
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa was among 54 reactors shut down after a massive earthquake and tsunami crippled the Fukushima Daiichi plant in 2011.
On Monday, the Niigata prefectural assembly, where Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is located, approved a bill paving the way for Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to restart one of seven reactors at the plant.
TEPCO, which also operated the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant, will now seek final permission from Japan's nuclear regulator to restart operations.
Japan increasing nuclear power generation
According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, the operator hopes to restart one of the seven reactors at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa on January 20, with another 1.36-gigawatt reactor expected around 2030.
Some general facts about the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant:
- It is located about 220 km (136 miles) northwest of Tokyo
- It has a total capacity of 8.2 gigawatts
- This is enough to supply power to several million homes
- A single reactor could boost electricity supply to the Tokyo area by 2%
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office two months ago, has backed nuclear restarts to strengthen energy security and counter the cost of imported fossil fuels.
So far, Japan has restarted 14 of the country's 33 reactors still considered operationally viable.
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa will become the first nuclear plant operated by TEPCO to resume operations since Fukushima.
After Fukushima, local communities remain uneasy
But not everyone is happy about restarting Kashiwazaki-Kariwa.
Around 300 protesters demonstrated outside the assembly on Monday against the decision.
"I am truly angry from the bottom of my heart," Kenichiro Ishiyama, a 77-year-old protester from Niigata city, told the Reuters news agency after the vote.
"If something was to happen at the plant, we would be the ones to suffer the consequences."
A survey published in October showed that 60% of residents did not think conditions for the restart had been met, and nearly 70% were worried about TEPCO operating the plant.
Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who backed the restart, described Monday's decision as "a milestone," but "not the end."
"There is no end in terms of ensuring the safety of Niigata residents," he said.
Read: Japan Trials 100-Kilowatt Laser Weapon to Combat Drones
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Japan Trials 100-Kilowatt Laser Weapon to Combat Drones
18 jam lalu
The high-power laser weapon is installed on the 6,200-ton test ship JS Asuka and will undergo sea trials in real maritime conditions starting in 2026.
Japan Weighs Restart of World's Largest Nuclear Plant
1 hari lalu
The Niigata region in Japan is expected to approve the restart of the world's largest nuclear power plant on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Chinese Tourists Flock to South Korea Amid Diplomatic Row with Japan
2 hari lalu
Diplomatic tensions between China and Japan have led to a significant shift in the travel patterns of Chinese tourists, opening up opportunities for other countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia.
Japan Raises Its UN Presence to Counter China's Influence
4 hari lalu
Japan is taking greater interest in United Nations as fears grow that rival nations, including China, are using the organization for their own ends.
US Prolongs Sakhalin-2 Sanctions Exemption for Japan's Energy Security
4 hari lalu
The license issued by the US Department of the Treasury is important for its ally, Japan, which receives about 9 percent of its LNG from Russia.
Japan First Cherry Blossoms Forecast for 2026: Sakura Blooms in Mid-March
4 hari lalu
Japan's Meteorological Corporation releases its first 2026 sakura forecast, with cherry blossoms expected to bloom from late March to early April.
Japan Hit with M6.9 Earthquake, Tsunami Warning Lifted
10 hari lalu
A 6.7 magnitude earthquake once again struck the eastern region of Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Music Bank Global Festival 2025 Lineup: Stray Kids, ITZY, Hearts2Hearts, and More
11 hari lalu
The full lineup for Music Bank Global Festival 2025 has been revealed, featuring top acts from TXT to Stray Kids. See the complete roster here.
US Backs Japan in Row with China over Okinawa Radar Incident
12 hari lalu
The United States condemns China over radar incident involving Japan. China-Japan relations are getting tenser.
Indonesia Considers Visa-Free Entry for Japanese Travelers
12 hari lalu
A Japanese Embassy official said visa requirements have led to a decline in Japanese visitors to Indonesia.
