Japan Reopens Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, World’s Largest Nuclear Plant Amid Safety Debate

Japan is restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the world’s largest by potential capacity, with one reactor among seven set to come back online on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The restart comes after years of safety checks and strict rules following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster, as the country seeks to diversify its energy mix and curb fossil-fuel use.

TEPCO, the plant’s operator, said it would start up the reactor after removing control rods later in the evening and began preparations on Tuesday. The facility sits along the Sea of Japan coast and has become a focal point of public debate. A recent survey showed about 60% of residents oppose the restart, with 37% in support. A resident in her seventies expressed the tension, saying, “It’s Tokyo’s electricity that is produced in Kashiwazaki, so why should the people here be put at risk? That makes no sense.”

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world’s biggest nuclear plant by potential capacity, though just one reactor of seven is restarting now. Fourteen reactors have resumed operation since the post-Fukushima shutdown, with 13 currently running as of mid-January. Japan is pursuing carbon neutrality by 2050 and views nuclear power as a key part of reducing fossil-fuel dependence while meeting growing energy demands, including those driven by new technologies.

Experts describe the restart as a test of safety procedures and public trust. If the process runs smoothly, it could pave the way for additional reactors to return to service and help stabilize the country’s energy mix while supporting its climate goals. The coming weeks will be closely watched by residents, policymakers, and energy markets to gauge the balance between safety assurances and the need for reliable power.

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