Japan: Local Authorities Approve Restart of World's Largest Nuclear Power Plant - Japan’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant to restart after 14-year shutdown
Japan’s largest nuclear power plant, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, is set to restart after more than a decade offline. The plant, run by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), will become the first to resume operations since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The move follows approval from Niigata’s governor on 19 November 2025.
The Fukushima Daiichi disaster unfolded in 2011 when a massive earthquake triggered a tsunami. The waves overwhelmed the plant’s defences, causing meltdowns in three of its six reactors. Since then, Japan has kept most of its nuclear facilities offline.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant has undergone major safety upgrades. A 15-metre-high seawall now stands as protection against future tsunamis. So far, 14 other reactors across Japan have already restarted under stricter regulations.
Japan’s push to revive nuclear energy aims to cut dependence on imported fossil fuels. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart marks a key step in this effort. However, an exact date for operations to begin has not yet been announced.
The plant’s return comes over 14 years after the Fukushima crisis. Its restart will test Japan’s strengthened safety measures and energy strategy. The decision also reflects a broader shift toward reducing reliance on foreign fuel imports.
