Japan Takes Steps Closer to Recommencing Operations at the Globe's Biggest Nuclear Power Plant

The country is nearing giving the go-ahead for the reactivation of the world's largest nuclear power plant—the first time it would be running since the catastrophic 2011 Fukushima event.

The governor of Niigata, governor of the Niigata region where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant is situated, stated he has authorized for the limited resumption.

The plan to resume operations at the facility, operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company, still needs authorization from the prefecture's government assembly and the Japanese nuclear oversight body before it can advance.

If approved, it would be the initial instance the utility company would be permitted to resume atomic reactor activities in Japan since its Fukushima facility experienced a meltdown following a massive wave.

Local Residents Divided on Restart

Residents in Niigata are split over whether the facility should resume operations or not.

The governor told a press briefing on Friday that his decision would be considered in the final month of the year at a regional assembly, where he would seek the body's consent.

The approval would be for the recommencement of functioning at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant's Reactor 6, subsequently the No 7.

Context and Business Reconstruction Strategy

The recommencement of functioning at the facility is part of Tepco's corporate recovery strategy after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, which was resulted from a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and enormous surge.

When the facility's atomic cores were inundated by the tsunami, it caused radioactive leaks and required 150,000 people to be relocated from the area.

Japan mandated all its nuclear power plant reactors to be closed in 2011 after the catastrophe. Afterward, a number of reactors have restarted.

Tepco was instructed to pay trillions of Japanese yen in compensation to those affected and is also paying for the station's closure expenditures.

Public Sentiment and Concerns

A study published by Niigata prefecture recently indicated that 50% of its locals backed the station's reactivation, while nearly half were opposed. It also suggested that almost 70% of people in the area were worried about the utility managing the facility.

Power Goals and Ahead

The recent ruling demonstrates a desire among some in Japan to progress to increased use of nuclear power to cut dependence on traditional energy sources, as the nation pursues a target of zero net emissions.