Japan Restarts Onagawa Nuclear Reactor After 13 Years

The reactor's return highlights Japan's nuclear power revival amid labor shortages and safety upgrades post-Fukushima disaster.

The Onagawa reactor, located near the Fukushima disaster site, has resumed operations after being offline since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Safety enhancements, including a 29-meter anti-tsunami wall, were implemented to meet stricter post-Fukushima standards.
Japan aims to increase nuclear energy use to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, despite public safety concerns following recent earthquakes.
The nuclear industry faces a significant skills shortage, with many workers lacking firsthand experience in operating reactors.
The restart is expected to reduce Japan's reliance on fossil fuels and support growing energy demands from AI and semiconductor sectors.