The nation of Japan Takes Steps Closer to Restarting the World's Largest Nuclear Power Plant
The country is nearing approving the resumption of the planet's biggest nuclear power plant—the first time it would be in use since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
The governor of Niigata, leader of the Niigata area where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear facility is located, announced he has authorized for the limited resumption.
The initiative to recommence functioning at the station, operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company, still needs approval from the prefecture's government assembly and Japan's nuclear regulator before it can proceed.
If approved, it would be the inaugural occasion Tepco would be authorized to restart reactor functioning in Japan since its Fukushima plant went into meltdown after a tidal surge.
Regional Residents Split on Restart
People living in Niigata are split over whether the station should be reactivated or not.
Hanazumi informed a media event on Friday that his ruling would be debated in the final month of the year at a prefectural government assembly, where he would seek the assembly's approval.
The approval would be for the resumption of activities at the facility's Reactor 6, subsequently the seventh reactor.
Background and Corporate Recovery Plan
The resumption of operations at the station is part of Tepco's corporate recovery strategy in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, which was resulted from a massive 9.0 quake and huge tidal wave.
When the station's units were flooded by the tidal wave, it led to radioactive leaks and forced a large population to be moved from the zone.
Japan ordered all its nuclear power plant reactors to be shut down in that year following the incident. Afterward, fourteen units have resumed operations.
The company was ordered to pay massive sums in compensation to those harmed and is also funding the plant's decommissioning costs.
Local Sentiment and Concerns
A survey published by the region in the previous month indicated that 50% of its residents supported the facility's resumption, while 47% were in disagreement. It also suggested that almost seven in ten of individuals in the area were concerned about the utility managing the station.
Energy Targets and Ahead
The recent ruling shows a desire among various Japanese to progress to expanded reliance of nuclear power to lessen dependence on carbon-based fuels, as the country pursues a goal of zero net emissions.