Japan is preparing for a defining moment in its energy journey, as the Niigata region is expected to endorse the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, on Monday. If approved, the move would mark a major shift in Japan’s gradual return to nuclear energy, more than a decade after the devastating Fukushima disaster of 2011.
Located about 220 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa was one of 54 reactors shut down nationwide after a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. The disaster reshaped Japan’s energy policy and left deep scars on public trust.
Since then, Japan has brought 14 of its 33 operable reactors back online in an effort to reduce its heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa would be the first plant to restart under Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), the same utility that operated Fukushima Daiichi.
Tepco spokesperson Masakatsu Takata said the company is committed to ensuring history does not repeat itself, stressing that the safety and peace of mind of Niigata residents remains a priority. If the restart is approved, Tepco is considering reactivating the first of the plant’s seven reactors as early as January 20, according to public broadcaster NHK, though the company has not confirmed a timeline.
Despite these assurances, resistance remains strong among local residents. Earlier this year, Tepco pledged to invest ¥100 billion in Niigata over the next decade in an effort to gain public support. Still, skepticism runs deep. A prefectural survey released in October found that 60 percent of residents believe conditions for a restart have not yet been met, while nearly 70 percent expressed concern over Tepco’s ability to safely operate the plant.
For some, the fears are personal. Ayako Oga, a 52-year-old farmer and anti-nuclear activist, moved to Niigata after fleeing the Fukushima region in 2011. Her former home lies within the 20-kilometer exclusion zone, and she says the trauma of displacement still lingers. Now, she is protesting what she views as a new nuclear risk near her current home, describing each update about the restart as a painful reminder of past fears.
Even Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who voiced support for the restart last month, has acknowledged the anxiety surrounding nuclear power, expressing hope that Japan will eventually move toward energy sources that do not cause such unease.
On Monday, Niigata’s prefectural assembly will hold a confidence vote on Governor Hanazumi, a decision widely seen as the final political hurdle before the reactor restart. According to Japan’s trade ministry, restarting just one reactor at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa could increase electricity supply to the Tokyo area by about 2 percent.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office two months ago, has backed nuclear restarts as part of a broader strategy to strengthen energy security and manage the rising costs of imported fossil fuels, which currently generate up to 70 percent of Japan’s electricity. Last year alone, Japan spent ¥10.7 trillion on imported liquefied natural gas and coal.
Looking ahead, Japan expects energy demand to climb despite its shrinking population, driven largely by the rapid expansion of energy-intensive AI data centers. To meet these needs while honoring its decarbonization commitments, the government aims to double nuclear power’s share in the energy mix to 20 percent by 2040.
Energy experts say public acceptance of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa’s restart would be a critical milestone toward achieving these goals. Still, the emotional and psychological weight of Fukushima continues to shape the national conversation.
As lawmakers prepare to vote and protesters gather outside the assembly, Japan stands at a crossroads. For policymakers, the restart represents energy security and economic stability. For many residents, it reopens memories of loss, fear, and displacement. The decision ahead is not just about power generation, but about trust, accountability, and whether a nation can truly move forward without forgetting the cost of its past.
