World’s largest nuclear power plant moves closer to restart

Monday 22 December 2025 - 09:30

By: Sahili Aya

World’s largest nuclear power plant moves closer to restart

Japan has taken a significant step toward restarting the world’s largest nuclear power plant, as the regional assembly of Niigata approved a budget and resolution supporting the resumption of operations at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility. The plant has remained offline since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.

The decision follows the recent announcement by Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi that he would support the restart, marking a turning point after years of public debate and heightened safety concerns. Operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is located on the Sea of Japan coast and consists of seven reactors spread across a vast coastal site.

Japan shut down all of its nuclear reactors in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident, as public trust in nuclear energy sharply declined. However, the country’s limited natural resources, its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, and rising electricity demand—driven in part by digital technologies and artificial intelligence—have pushed nuclear power back into the national energy discussion.

So far, 14 reactors across Japan have been restarted under reinforced safety regulations. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa would become the first Tepco-operated plant to resume operations since Fukushima, pending final approval from the national nuclear regulator and local authorities.

The Japanese government has reiterated its support for nuclear energy as part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions. Thermal power plants still account for the majority of Japan’s electricity production, but officials aim to significantly cut their share over the next two decades.