On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Japans Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) brought Reactor No. 6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant back online for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Shortly after 7 p.m. local time, the reactor initiated its nuclear reaction, marking a major milestone for the utility.
The restart comes after TEPCO received approval from Japans Nuclear Regulation Authority to begin trial operations. An initial attempt on Tuesday was delayed by an alarm malfunction during testing, but engineers resolved the issue, clearing the path for Wednesdays launch.
Locals remain divided: a recent survey showed residents split on the plants return to operation. Despite mixed opinions, Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi greenlit the restart in November 2025, and the prefectural assembly followed in December.
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, about 220 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, is the worlds largest nuclear power station by capacity, able to generate up to 8.2 gigawatts when all seven reactors run at full tilt. It was among 54 reactors shut down after the Fukushima Daiichi meltdown in March 2011.
TEPCO says the restart is a key step toward diversifying Japans energy mix and cutting carbon emissions, even as safety concerns linger. As the reactor settles into its trial phase, all eyes will be on how smoothly operations proceed and whether more reactors could follow in 2026. ⚡🌏
Reference(s):
Japan's TEPCO restarts nuclear reactor despite local opposition
cgtn.com
