Anna Hartz
Japan’s energy debate has been shaped for years by rising power costs, heavy reliance on fuel imports, and the long shadow of the Fukushima disaster.
As electricity demand grows and energy security becomes a bigger concern, nuclear power is again moving to the center of political and public discussion. This week marked a major moment in that long and uneasy return.
Voted in Favor
On Monday, Japan took its final step toward restarting the world’s largest nuclear power plant, reports Digi24. The assembly in Niigata prefecture voted in favor of resuming operations at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant.
The decision clears the way for the restart almost 15 years after the earthquake and tsunami of 2011 triggered the Fukushima Daiichi disaster.
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is located about 220 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. It was shut down along with 53 other reactors after the Fukushima crisis. Since then, Japan has slowly brought nuclear power back online. Fourteen of the country’s remaining 33 reactors are now operating. The goal is to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The plant will be the first nuclear facility restarted by Tokyo Electric Power Company. TEPCO also operated the Fukushima plant. On Monday, the Niigata assembly passed a vote of confidence in Governor Hideyo Hanazumi. He publicly backed the restart last month. That vote effectively gave TEPCO permission to move ahead.
Protesters Against Nuclear Power
Outside the assembly building, around 300 protesters gathered before the vote. Many were older residents. They carried signs reading “No to nuclear power,” “We oppose the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart,” and “We support Fukushima.”
TEPCO plans to restart the first of the plant’s seven reactors on January 20, according to public broadcaster NHK. Company spokesperson Masakatsu Takata said TEPCO is committed to preventing another nuclear accident and to protecting local residents.
Public concern remains strong. A prefectural survey released in October showed that 60 percent of residents believe conditions for a restart have not been met. Nearly 70 percent said they are worried about TEPCO’s ability to operate the plant safely. These concerns persist despite TEPCO’s promise to invest 100 billion yen in the region.
The restart is expected to raise electricity supply in the Tokyo area by about 2 percent, according to Japan’s trade ministry. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office two months ago, supports nuclear restarts.
She argues they are necessary to strengthen energy security and reduce costs. Imported fossil fuels currently account for 60 to 70 percent of Japan’s electricity generation.
Sources: Digi24
