Tokyo: Japan's local parliament began deliberating Tuesday on whether to allow partial restarts of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the world's largest, amid Japan's efforts to boost its domestic energy supply. The plant, located about 300 kilometers northeast of Tokyo on the Sea of Japan coast, was shut down after the tsunami destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2011. Both are operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co., Ltd. (TEPCO).
According to Thai News Agency, the tranquil coastal area, which encompasses the town of Kashiwazaki and the village of Kariwa, with a population of about 80,000, is attracting much attention because if Unit 6 of the plant is restarted, it will mark the first time TEPCO has resumed nuclear operations since the Fukushima disaster.
Tepco President Tomiaki Kobayakawa said Monday during a high-level delegation from the Japan Business Federation touring the plant that nuclear power is essential for resource-poor Japan. Kobayakawa said Tepco has been improving safety in its nuclear power business. After the Fukushima disaster, Japan shut down all 54 nuclear reactors that were operating at the time, leaving the country heavily dependent on fossil fuel imports. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she supports restarting more nuclear plants to strengthen energy security and manage the cost of imported energy, which accounts for 60 to 70 percent of Japan's electricity generation.
However, Kashiwazaki City Council member Yukihiko Hoshino said residents in the area are worried about the possibility of another nuclear accident, and their biggest concern is whether they will be able to evacuate. He also said there are still some people unable to return to their homes in the Fukushima area.
The final meeting of the Niigata Prefectural Council for 2025 will be held from December 2nd to 22nd, with Tepco planning to start operation of Unit 6, which has a generating capacity of 1,356 megawatts, in January, pending the results of the council's vote.