Japan has resumed operations at what was once the world’s largest nuclear plant for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The restart of reactor No. 6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, located northwest of Tokyo, marks a significant moment in the country’s decade-long effort to rebuild its nuclear energy sector.
The facility, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), had all seven of its reactors shut down following the Fukushima meltdown.
With only one reactor now back online, the plant operates far below its previous capacity of 8.2 gigawatts. The restart was delayed by a day due to an alarm malfunction. Full commercial operations are expected to begin next month.
Public concerns resurface over nuclear safety
Despite enhanced safety protocols, the move triggered renewed protests. In December, hundreds gathered outside the Niigata prefectural assembly, expressing concerns about potential risks.
A smaller demonstration took place near Tepco’s headquarters just before the reactor was restarted. Residents remain wary, fearing they would bear the consequences in case of an emergency.
Japan shut all 54 reactors following the Fukushima disaster, which forced widespread evacuations and resulted in long-lasting public distrust.
BREAKING:
Japan restarted the world’s largest nuclear power plant today.
TEPCO restarted Reactor No. 6 today at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the world’s largest by installed capacity (8.2 GW when fully operational with its seven units).
It was brought back… pic.twitter.com/5yhCOl50PF
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 21, 2026
A government panel later described the incident as a man-made disaster, blaming Tepco for poor preparation and criticizing the lack of coordination in the government’s response.
Though a court cleared three Tepco executives of negligence, the damage to public confidence was significant.
Government pushes forward with nuclear revival
As part of its climate goals, Japan is working to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Since 2015, it has restarted 15 of its 33 operable reactors. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart is the first involving a Tepco-owned facility.
Before the Fukushima incident, nuclear energy provided nearly 30 percent of Japan’s electricity. The country had aimed to raise that to 50 percent by 2030, but recent plans have scaled that back to 20 percent by 2040.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October, has emphasized the importance of nuclear power in meeting rising energy demands, driven by sectors like data centers and semiconductor manufacturing.
However, strict safety regulations have increased operating costs, requiring large investments. Experts like Dr. Florentine Koppenborg of the Technical University of Munich note that nuclear energy has become far more expensive than originally expected.
Scandals and upgrades shadow the world’s largest nuclear plant
Recent scandals have also shaken trust. At Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, incidents involving mishandled documents were reported in 2023.
Meanwhile, another operator, Chubu Electric, faced scrutiny after it manipulated earthquake data during safety testing at its Hamaoka plant. Former safety official Hisanori Nei believes strict penalties will deter future violations.
Even with new seawalls and watertight infrastructure, some experts warn the country may be preparing only for past disasters, not future threats like rising sea levels or stronger earthquakes.
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