Japan Suspends Restart of World's Largest Nuclear Power Plant

Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has suspended operations at the No. 6 reactor of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, just hours after its restart on January 21, 2026. This marked the first time a reactor at the facility has been brought online since the catastrophic Fukushima disaster in 2011. The suspension was prompted by a malfunction related to the control rods, essential components for safely managing nuclear reactions. TEPCO reported that the reactor remains stable and poses no radioactive threat to the surrounding area.

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The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, located in Niigata Prefecture, is the world's largest nuclear power facility by capacity, capable of generating 8.2 gigawatts when all seven reactors are operational. Following the Fukushima disaster, which led to the shutdown of all 54 of Japan's reactors, the country has been gradually attempting to revive its nuclear energy sector to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet growing energy demands. Before the 2011 disaster, nuclear energy accounted for nearly 30% of Japan's electricity generation.

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Despite the restart, public sentiment remains divided. A survey indicated that approximately 60% of local residents oppose the reactor's operation, citing safety concerns, particularly given the plant's location near an active seismic fault zone. In recent weeks, protests have occurred, with groups opposing the restart submitting a petition signed by nearly 40,000 individuals to TEPCO and Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority. Critics argue that the risks associated with nuclear energy, especially in light of past disasters, have not been adequately addressed.

Euronews

TEPCO has emphasized that safety is its top priority, stating, “We are investigating the malfunctioning electrical equipment,” and confirmed that there was no radioactive impact outside the plant. The company plans to conduct thorough inspections before determining when operations can resume. Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi has expressed cautious support for the restart, acknowledging the need for ongoing monitoring of safety conditions.

Global Times

Opponents of the restart have raised concerns about TEPCO's safety culture, which has been criticized in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. The company has faced scrutiny over its ability to manage nuclear facilities safely, especially given its history of scandals, including falsified safety data. Local residents have voiced fears that the push for nuclear energy is prioritizing electricity supply for Tokyo at the expense of their safety.

Interesting Engineering

The future of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant remains uncertain as TEPCO investigates the control rod malfunction. The seventh reactor at the facility is not expected to restart until 2030, and some of the other reactors may face decommissioning. Japan's government continues to advocate for a nuclear revival as part of its energy strategy, aiming for nuclear power to contribute 20% of the country's electricity needs by 2040.

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• “Safety is an ongoing process, which means operators involved in nuclear power must never be arrogant or overconfident,” — Tomoaki Kobayakawa, TEPCO President

Digital Journal

• “Making many people anxious and fearful so as to send electricity to Tokyo … is intolerable.” — Petition statement from local opposition groups.

Al Jazeera (website)