Japan Restarts World’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant After Technical Glitch

Japan Restarts World’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant After Technical Glitch

Japan has restarted the world’s largest nuclear power plant, the Kashiwazaki‑Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, following a brief suspension caused by a technical alert and minor malfunction during its initial restart. The move marks a major step in Japan’s nuclear energy revival as the country seeks to reduce fossil fuel imports, strengthen energy security, and meet its carbon neutrality goals.

The restart, conducted by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. (TEPCO), involved the No. 6 reactor at Kashiwazaki‑Kariwa in Niigata Prefecture. Operations resumed after additional safety checks addressed a monitoring system alarm triggered during control rod operations in late January. TEPCO announced that commercial operations are expected to begin by March 18, 2026.

The Kashiwazaki‑Kariwa plant, with a total capacity of approximately 8.2 gigawatts, has been mostly offline since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster, when an earthquake and tsunami caused multiple reactor meltdowns. Its restart follows rigorous safety upgrades, including enhanced tsunami defenses, improved emergency power systems, and stricter regulatory compliance, approved by the Nuclear Regulation Authority and local authorities.

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The government views the plant’s revival as a crucial element of its energy transition strategy, aiming to diversify Japan’s electricity generation, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and achieve long-term climate targets. Japan has gradually restarted other reactors across the country under strict safety protocols, but Kashiwazaki‑Kariwa represents the largest single increase in nuclear generation capacity in more than a decade.

Despite the positive energy implications, the restart remains controversial. Many local residents and safety advocates continue to express concerns over potential risks, emphasizing the importance of robust emergency planning in an earthquake-prone region. Petition campaigns and public consultations prior to the restart highlighted these safety fears, signaling ongoing local scrutiny.

Experts say that the reactivation of Japan’s largest nuclear plant could strengthen national energy independence and play a significant role in reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, they stress that maintaining a strong safety culture is essential to prevent incidents and preserve public confidence in nuclear energy.

The plant’s restart underscores Japan’s broader energy policy shift, as the country seeks a balance between renewable energy expansion and nuclear power, which remains a critical component of its electricity supply mix. With rising domestic energy demand, including from digital infrastructure and AI systems, nuclear power is seen as a reliable and low-carbon solution to meet Japan’s energy needs.

Japan Restarts World’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant After Technical Glitch