Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has resumed commercial operations of Unit 6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture [1].
The restart marks a significant shift in Japan's energy strategy as the nation seeks to improve energy security and decrease its dependence on imported fossil fuels [1, 2].
Unit 6 is part of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, which is the largest nuclear plant in the world [1, 3]. According to reports, the reactor began supplying electricity to approximately 450,000 households [4].
The facility has faced a prolonged period of inactivity following the Fukushima disaster. Reports on the exact duration of the shutdown vary, with estimates ranging from 13 years [5] to 15 years [2], while other records indicate the unit was offline for almost 14 years [3].
The restart was reported on April 18, 2026 [2]. By May 2026, the plant had been supplying power for about a month [4].
TEPCO is managing the phased return to service as part of a broader national effort to revive the nuclear sector. The move comes as Japan balances the need for stable, low-carbon energy with the stringent safety requirements established after the 2011 crisis.
“The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility is the largest nuclear plant in the world.”
The reactivation of Unit 6 signals a pivotal transition in Japan's post-Fukushima energy policy. By returning the world's largest nuclear facility to the grid, Japan is prioritizing energy independence and cost stability over the previous trend of total nuclear shutdowns. This move suggests a long-term commitment to nuclear power as a primary tool for meeting climate goals and mitigating the economic volatility of global fuel markets.
