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Niigata Vote Clears Path to Restart the World’s Largest Nuclear Plant

TEPCO will seek Nuclear Regulation Authority approval next, with reports pointing to a Unit 6 restart around January 20.

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Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)'s Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power plant, one of the world's largest nuclear facilities, stands along the seaside in Kashiwazaki, Niigata prefecture, Japan December 21, 2025.REUTERS/Issei Kato
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Overview

  • Niigata’s prefectural assembly passed a vote of confidence backing Governor Hideyo Hanazumi’s restart plan, removing the final local political hurdle for Kashiwazaki-Kariwa.
  • TEPCO is expected to file its formal request with the Nuclear Regulation Authority before year-end, and Japanese media report the company is considering reactivating Unit 6 around January 20.
  • Kashiwazaki-Kariwa would be the first TEPCO-operated plant to resume since Fukushima, with the utility citing added seawalls, watertight doors, mobile generators and upgraded filtration.
  • Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi supports restarts to strengthen energy security and cut fuel import costs, and the trade ministry says one reactor could lift Tokyo-area supply by about 2%.
  • Local unease remains high, with roughly 300 protesters at the assembly and an October survey showing 60% say restart conditions are unmet and nearly 70% worry about TEPCO; the utility has pledged 100 billion yen for Niigata over 10 years.