A crucial regional assembly in Japan has commenced deliberations on a landmark decision: whether to allow the partial restart of the world's largest nuclear power station. The move comes as Japan intensifies its efforts to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and strengthen its domestic energy security, a topic of keen interest for energy-dependent nations like India.
The Fate of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Hangs in the Balance
The Niigata Prefectural Assembly began its final session of the year on Tuesday, with a pivotal vote on restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant expected by December 22, 2025. Located roughly 300 kilometers northeast of Tokyo on the Sea of Japan coast, the massive facility has been idle since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Both plants are operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).
This potential restart focuses specifically on Unit No. 6, a 1,356-megawatt reactor. If approved, it would mark the first restart of a TEPCO-operated reactor since the Fukushima catastrophe. The company plans to bring the unit online in January, pending the assembly's green light.
National Imperative vs. Local Fears
The push for restart is driven by a clear national energy strategy. Following Fukushima, Japan shut down all 54 of its operational reactors, becoming heavily dependent on expensive imports of coal, gas, and oil. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has publicly advocated for more nuclear restarts to bolster energy security and curb costs, as imports currently fuel 60% to 70% of Japan's electricity generation.
"The use of nuclear energy is essential in Japan, which has few resources," stated TEPCO President Tomoaki Kobayakawa during a plant tour for business leaders. He emphasized ongoing safety improvements, showcased by staff in protective gear conducting drills.
However, in the peaceful coastal communities of Kashiwazaki city and Kariwa village, home to about 80,000 people, anxiety persists. Local assembly member Yukihiko Hoshino voiced the primary concern: "The biggest worry is whether they will be able to evacuate." He pointed to the lingering displacement from Fukushima as a stark reminder of the risks.
Broader Implications and the Road Ahead
The outcome in Niigata carries significant weight for Japan's energy landscape. Of the 33 reactors deemed operable post-Fukushima, only 14 have been restarted. The reactivation of Unit No. 6 alone could improve power supply for the energy-hungry Tokyo area by an estimated 2%, according to Japan's industry ministry.
This decision is also timed as Japan's power demand, after years of decline, is projected to grow due to expansions in data centers and AI-driven businesses. Meanwhile, TEPCO continues to pay compensation for the Fukushima disaster.
The assembly's session runs until December 22, though the exact date of the vote remains unclear. TEPCO's longer-term vision includes restarting Unit No. 7 at a later date and potentially decommissioning the plant's five other reactors. For now, the world watches as Japan weighs a critical step in its complex energy future.
