Japan's nuclear power journey has taken a significant turn with the recent restart of a reactor at the world's largest nuclear plant. This move comes nearly 15 years after the devastating Fukushima disaster, which forced Japan to shut down all its nuclear reactors.
Reactor no.6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, located northwest of Tokyo, was brought back online on Wednesday. However, this restart was delayed by a day due to an alarm malfunction, and it's expected to start commercial operations next month.
This development is part of Japan's ongoing efforts to revive its nuclear power sector, but the path ahead is far from straightforward. The seventh reactor is not anticipated to come back online until 2030, and the remaining five could be decommissioned. This means the plant will operate at a significantly reduced capacity compared to its heyday when all seven reactors were functional, generating 8.2 gigawatts of power.
Japan, a country heavily reliant on energy imports, was an early adopter of nuclear power. However, these ambitions were shattered by the 2011 Fukushima disaster, which is now remembered as one of the worst nuclear catastrophes in history.
Triggered by the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan, the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi reactors led to radioactive leakage. This event traumatized local communities that were evacuated, and despite official assurances, many have not returned.
Critics argue that the plant's owner, Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), was ill-prepared, and the response from both the company and the government was poorly coordinated. An independent government report labeled it a "man-made disaster" and blamed Tepco, although a court later acquitted three of their executives of negligence.
The fear and lack of trust stemming from this incident fueled public opposition to nuclear power, leading Japan to suspend its entire fleet of 54 reactors shortly after the Fukushima disaster.
Over the past decade, Japan has been working to bring these power plants back online. Since 2015, it has restarted 15 out of its 33 operable reactors, with the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant being the first Tepco-owned facility to be turned back on.
Before the 2011 disaster, nuclear power accounted for nearly 30% of Japan's electricity, and the country had plans to increase this to 50% by 2030. However, its energy plan last year unveiled a more modest goal, aiming for nuclear power to provide 20% of its electricity needs by 2040.
Even this goal may be challenging to achieve. Global momentum is building around nuclear energy, with estimates suggesting the world's nuclear power capacity could more than double by 2050. In Japan, as of 2023, nuclear power accounts for just 8.5% of electricity.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October, has emphasized the importance of nuclear power for Japan's energy self-sufficiency, especially with the expected surge in energy demand due to data centers and semiconductor manufacturing.
However, the costs of operating nuclear reactors have skyrocketed due to new safety checks, requiring hefty investments from companies looking to restart their plants.
"Nuclear power is becoming much more expensive than anyone anticipated," says Dr. Florentine Koppenborg, a senior researcher at the Technical University of Munich.
The government could subsidize these costs or pass them on to consumers, but both options are unappealing to Japan's leaders, who have long touted the affordability of nuclear power. An expensive energy bill could also cause political backlash at a time when households are already protesting rising costs.
"The government's hands are tied when it comes to financially supporting nuclear power unless it's willing to go back on one of its main selling points," Koppenborg adds.
Beyond the fear of another Fukushima-like disaster, a series of scandals have further eroded public trust. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, in particular, has been embroiled in several incidents. In 2023, an employee lost a stack of documents after placing them on their car and driving away, and in November, another employee was found to have mishandled confidential documents.
A Tepco spokesperson acknowledged these incidents and stated that the company aims to continue improving security management.
While these revelations are a step towards transparency, they also highlight Tepco's struggle to change its approach to safety, according to Koppenborg.
Earlier this month, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) suspended its review to restart nuclear reactors at Chubu Electric's Hamaoka plant after the company was caught manipulating quake data in its tests. The company apologized and pledged to cooperate fully with the NRA.
Hisanori Nei, an adjunct professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo and a former senior nuclear safety official, believes that while the scandal at Hamaoka was surprising, the harsh penalty imposed on the operator should deter other companies from similar actions.
"Power companies should recognize the importance of not falsifying data," Nei said, adding that authorities will "reject and punish" offending companies.
The Fukushima disaster significantly shifted Japanese public opinion against nuclear power, which was once seen as an affordable and sustainable energy source.
In the weeks following the March 2011 disaster, a Pew Research Center survey found that 44% of Japanese believed the use of nuclear power should be reduced. This figure jumped to 70% by 2012.
Since then, thousands of residents have filed class action lawsuits against Tepco and the Japanese government, seeking compensation for property damage, emotional distress, and health problems allegedly linked to radiation exposure.
In 2023, the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant sparked anxiety and anger both domestically and internationally.
Many remain opposed to restarting nuclear plants, and in December, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Niigata prefectural assembly, where Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is located, expressing safety concerns.
"If something were to happen at the plant, we would be the ones to suffer the consequences," one protester told Reuters.
Last week, ahead of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa's restart, a small crowd gathered in front of Tepco's headquarters to protest once again.
Nuclear safety standards have been significantly enhanced since the Fukushima disaster. The NRA, a cabinet body established in 2012, now oversees the restarting of Japan's nuclear plants.
At Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, 15-meter-high seawalls have been constructed to protect against large tsunamis, and watertight doors now safeguard critical equipment.
"Based on the new safety standards, [Japan's nuclear plants] could survive even a similar earthquake and tsunami like the one we had in 2011," Nei said.
However, Dr. Koppenborg expressed concern, stating, "They're preparing for the worst they've seen in the past but not for what is to come."
Some experts worry that these policies may not adequately account for rising sea levels due to climate change or the once-in-a-century megaquake that Japan is anticipating.
"If the past repeats itself, Japan is super well-prepared," Koppenborg said. "But if something truly unexpected happens and a bigger-than-expected tsunami occurs, we don't know."
The future of Japan's nuclear power sector remains uncertain, with public trust and safety concerns at the forefront. As the country navigates this complex issue, the question remains: Can Japan truly ensure a safe and sustainable nuclear power future?
