Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant Restarts
Analysis based on 10 articles · First reported Jan 21, 2026 · Last updated Jan 21, 2026
The restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant by Tokyo Electric Power Company is expected to positively impact Japan's energy security by reducing its reliance on imported fossil fuels and contributing to carbon neutrality goals. However, persistent safety concerns among residents and past incidents could lead to public and regulatory scrutiny, potentially affecting the long-term stability and expansion of nuclear power in Japan.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, the world's largest by potential capacity, has restarted one of its seven reactors on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. This move by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) follows approval from the regional governor, despite significant public opposition, with approximately 60% of residents against the restart due to safety concerns. Japan aims to revive atomic energy to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and meet increasing energy demands, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi supporting nuclear power. The plant has undergone safety upgrades, including a tsunami wall and elevated emergency power systems. However, residents remain anxious, citing past cover-up scandals, minor accidents, and inadequate evacuation plans. The restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the first for a TEPCO-run unit since 2011, while the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is still being decommissioned. Japan's nuclear industry has also faced recent scandals, such as data falsification by Chubu Electric Power and an alarm system failure at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa.
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