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TEPCO to Restart Giant Reactor Amid Mixed Public Opinion

12/27/2025

43 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) plans to restart the No. 6 reactor at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa on January 20, 2026.
The restart follows approval from Niigata Prefecture.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the world's largest, has a total capacity of 8.2 gigawatts.
TEPCO aims to bring another reactor online by 2030 and may decommission units.
Japan seeks to increase nuclear energy's share with a public loan system, while public opinion remains mixed.

History

Historical Context

Following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Japan's nuclear energy policies underwent significant scrutiny, leading to the shutdown of all reactors. By 2024, nuclear power's share in Japan's energy mix had risen to 9.9%. The planned restart of TEPCO's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa No. 6 reactor reflects ongoing efforts to revive nuclear energy, despite public opposition and regulatory challenges.

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Story summary

Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) plans to restart the No. 6 reactor at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa on January 20, 2026.
The restart follows approval from Niigata Prefecture.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the world's largest, has a total capacity of 8.2 gigawatts.
TEPCO aims to bring another reactor online by 2030 and may decommission units.
Japan seeks to increase nuclear energy's share with a public loan system, while public opinion remains mixed.

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