Japan Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant Restart 2026: The World's Largest Facility Wakes Up
Japan restarts the world's largest Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant on Jan 21, 2026. Explore the impact of TEPCO's first restart since the Fukushima disaster.
The world's largest nuclear power plant is waking up. After nearly 15 years of silence following the Fukushima disaster, Japan has flipped the switch on a crucial reactor. According to Reuters, Reactor no. 6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant was restarted on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. It's a symbolic and strategic move for TEPCO, marking its first operational nuclear reactor since the 2011 meltdown.
Japan Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant Restart 2026: A High-Stakes Reboot
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been a vocal advocate for this revival, citing the urgent need for energy self-sufficiency. With data centers and semiconductor manufacturing driving a surge in electricity demand, the government aims for nuclear power to provide 20% of the nation's needs by 2040. However, the path isn't easy. While the plant once boasted a capacity of 8.2 gigawatts, the seventh reactor isn't expected until 2030, and five others face potential decommissioning, leaving the facility far below its historical peak.
Rebuilding Trust Amidst Lingering Fear
The restart comes despite deep-seated public mistrust. TEPCO has been plagued by scandals, including the mishandling of confidential documents and manipulated earthquake data. Protesters gathered outside the Niigata assembly, voiced concerns that safety checks don't account for climate-driven risks or "once-in-a-century" megaquakes. Conversely, former safety officials like Hisanori Nei argue that new 15-meter seawalls and watertight doors make the plant resilient enough to survive another disaster like 2011.
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