Japan has restarted the world’s largest nuclear power plant for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster forced the shutdown of all reactors.

The decision to restart Unit 6 of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in northwestern Tokyo was made despite safety concerns from local residents.

The plant is scheduled to begin commercial operation next month, although it was delayed for one day due to a malfunctioning alarm.

Japan, which has relied heavily on energy imports, was among the first to introduce nuclear power. But in 2011, all 54 reactors had to be shut down after a massive earthquake and tsunami caused a meltdown in Fukushima, creating one of the worst nuclear disasters in history.

This is the latest in Japan’s nuclear reboot, but there is still a long way to go.

Unit 7 at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is not expected to restart until 2030, and the other five reactors may also be decommissioned. As a result, the power plant’s capacity is much lower at 8.2 gigawatts than it once was when all seven reactors were operating.

It was triggered by the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan, causing a reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on the coast 220 kilometers (135 miles) northeast of Tokyo to melt down and leak radioactive material. Local communities have been evacuated and many have not returned despite government assurances that they are safe.

Critics argue that the plant’s owner, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), was unprepared and that their response and the government’s response were not sufficiently coordinated. An independent government report called the incident a “man-made disaster” and blamed TEPCO, but a court later found the three executives were at fault.

Still, fear and lack of trust fueled public opposition to nuclear power, and Japan shut down all 54 of its reactors shortly after the Fukushima disaster.

The company now aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and has spent the past decade trying to wake up these power plants.

Since 2015, Japan has restarted 15 of its 33 operational nuclear reactors. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant will be the first nuclear power plant owned by Tokyo Electric Power Company to restart.

Before 2011, nuclear power accounted for nearly 30% of Japan’s electricity, and Japan had plans to increase that to 50% by 2030. Last year’s energy plan revealed a more modest goal of meeting 20% ​​of electricity demand with nuclear power by 2040.

Even that may be difficult.

Global momentum around nuclear power is growing, with the International Atomic Energy Agency estimating that global nuclear power generation capacity could more than double by 2050. In Japan, nuclear power will account for only 8.5% of electricity by 2023.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October, has emphasized the importance of nuclear power for Japan’s energy self-sufficiency. This is because energy demand is expected to increase rapidly, especially due to data centers and semiconductor manufacturing.

Japan’s leaders and energy companies have been promoting nuclear power for years. It is said to be more reliable than renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and is suitable for Japan’s mountainous regions. But critics say the focus on nuclear energy comes at the expense of investing in renewable energy and reducing emissions.

Now, as Japan seeks to revive its nuclear power ambitions, the cost of operating nuclear reactors is rising. This is in part due to new safety inspections that require significant investment from companies seeking to restart nuclear power plants.

“Nuclear power is becoming much more expensive than previously thought,” says Dr. Florentine Koppenborg, a senior researcher at the Technical University of Munich.

The government could subsidize the cost or pass it on to consumers, both options unpalatable to Japan’s leaders, who have welcomed the affordability of nuclear power for decades. High utility bills could be a blow to governments as households protest rising costs.

“Governments’ hands are tied when it comes to financially supporting nuclear power unless they are willing to return to one of their key selling points,” Koppenborg said.

“I think [Japan’s nuclear power revival] It does not change the overall picture of the decline of nuclear power in Japan, so it is a waste of water. ”

Beyond the fear of new disasters like Fukusushima, a series of scandals are also shaking public trust.

In particular, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Plant was involved in some troubles. In 2023, one of the company’s employees left a bundle of documents on top of his car, forgot about it, and drove away. In November, another employee was found to have mishandled confidential documents.

A TEPCO spokesperson said the company had reported the incident to the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), adding that the company continues to strive to improve its safety management.

These revelations are a “good sign” of transparency, Koppenborg said. But they also revealed that “TEPCO is having a hard time changing its ways.” [and] How to approach safety.”

Earlier this month, the Nuclear Regulation Authority suspended a review of Chubu Electric Power’s Hamaoka nuclear power plant for restarting the reactor after it was discovered that the plant had manipulated seismic data in an experiment. The company apologized, saying, “We will continue to respond to the guidance and guidance of the Nuclear Regulation Authority to the best of our ability in good faith.”

Hisanori Nei, a former senior nuclear safety official, told the BBC he was “surprised” by the Hamaoka scandal, but believed the harsh penalties imposed on the operator should deter other companies from doing the same.

“Electricity companies should recognize the importance of not doing the following: [falsify data]” he said, adding that authorities would “reject and punish” companies that violate the rules.

What happened in Fukushima turned public opinion in Japan against energy, which had been hailed as affordable and sustainable.

Thousands of residents have filed a class action lawsuit against TEPCO and the Japanese government, seeking compensation for property damage, mental suffering and health problems allegedly related to radiation exposure.

In the weeks after the March 2011 disaster, 44% of Japanese thought nuclear power use should be reduced, according to a Pew Research Center survey. By 2012, that number had jumped to 70%. However, a public opinion poll conducted in 2022 by the Japanese economic newspaper Nikkei showed that more than 50% of people support nuclear power generation if safety is ensured.

But fear and distrust remain. Radioactively treated water will be released from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2023 sparked anxiety and anger at home and abroad.

And many people still oppose restarting nuclear power plants. In December, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of the Niigata Prefectural Assembly, where the city of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is located, to voice concerns about safety.

“If something happens at the factory, we will be the ones who will suffer the consequences,” one protester told Reuters.

Last week, a small crowd gathered in front of Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s headquarters to stage another protest ahead of the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant.

After the Fukushima accident, nuclear safety standards have been strengthened. The NRA, a ministerial agency established in 2012, currently oversees the restart of the country’s nuclear power plants.

In Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, a 15-meter (49-foot) high seawall is being built to prevent a major tsunami. Watertight doors now protect your facility’s critical equipment.

“Based on the new safety standards, [Japan’s nuclear plants] “We were able to withstand an earthquake and tsunami similar to what happened in 2011,” said Ney, a former senior nuclear safety official.

But Koppenborg worries that “they’re preparing for the worst that’s happened in the past, but they’re not preparing for what’s to come.”

Some experts worry that these policies don’t plan well enough to take into account rising sea levels due to climate change and Japan’s expected once-in-a-century earthquake.

“If history repeats itself, Japan is very well prepared,” Koppenborg said. “If something really unexpected happens and the tsunami is bigger than expected, we won’t know.”