The resumption of Unit 7 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa complex marks a turning point in Japan’s energy policy.
As the nation seeks carbon neutrality by 2050, the government is reviving nuclear energy to reduce fossil fuel reliance and meet the AI sector’s growing demands, according to AFP.
With final regulatory approval secured, TEPCO plans to remove control rods and activate the reactor after 7:00 pm.
Although 14 other reactors have resumed operations under stricter post-Fukushima rules, this is the first TEPCO unit to restart since the 2011 meltdown.
Public opinion remains sharply divided. A September survey showed 60 percent of residents oppose the restart, while only 37 percent support it.
On Tuesday, protesters braved freezing snow to demonstrate near the plant.
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Residents fear seismic risks and difficult evacuation logistics. On January 8, opponents submitted a petition with nearly 40,000 signatures, noting that the plant sits on an active fault zone and was struck by a strong earthquake in 2007.
To address safety concerns, the complex has been upgraded with a 15-meter tsunami wall and elevated emergency power systems.
However, public trust remains fragile due to industry scandals, including data falsification and a recent alarm failure at the site.
“Safety is an ongoing process, which means operators involved in nuclear power must never be arrogant or overconfident,” TEPCO President Tomoaki Kobayakawa told the Asahi daily.
Japan currently relies on fossil fuels for nearly 70 percent of its electricity. A government plan approved in February aims to cut this to 30-40 percent within 15 years, with nuclear power projected to supply about 20 percent by 2040.
Meanwhile, the decades-long decommissioning of the Fukushima plant continues.
