The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, TEPCO, has received approval from safety regulators to begin loading atomic fuel into a reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata, Japan. This marks the first time the plant will be restarted since the 2011 disaster. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is the world’s largest and has been offline since 2012 as part of nationwide reactor shutdowns following the Fukushima meltdown. The process of loading the 872 sets of fuel assemblies is expected to take a few weeks.
Reactors 6 and 7 at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa had previously cleared safety tests in 2017, but preparations for their restart were suspended in 2021 due to safeguarding issues. The Nuclear Regulation Authority lifted the operational ban at the plant four months ago, allowing TEPCO to move forward with the restart. The company, facing financial strain from decommissioning costs and compensation for Fukushima residents, is eager to resume operations at its only operable nuclear plant to improve its business and regain public trust in its ability to safely run a nuclear facility.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s government has shifted its stance on nuclear power, reversing earlier plans for a phaseout and accelerating the use of nuclear energy in response to rising fuel costs linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and pressure to meet decarbonization targets. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has shown support for increasing Japan’s nuclear power capacity, citing it as a stable and clean energy source. Following his visit to Japan, IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed the agency’s backing for the country’s nuclear power expansion.
In an effort to ensure safety as the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant restarts, IAEA has dispatched a team of experts to provide technical assistance. TEPCO has stated its commitment to taking necessary precautions and addressing any issues that may arise during the restart process. However, the restart is contingent upon obtaining consent from the local community, particularly Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who has expressed concerns about safety measures following a recent earthquake in the region. Hanazumi has yet to confirm whether he will agree to the restart of the No. 7 reactor, highlighting the need for thorough safety assessments and community dialogue before proceeding.
