Japan’s Nuclear Comeback Hits Major Snag

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Japan’s troubled nuclear giant Tepco has delayed the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant just days before its scheduled launch.

Story Highlights

Tepco postponed restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Unit 6 reactor due to safety alarm malfunction during testing
World’s largest nuclear facility by capacity (8.2 GW) sits on seismic fault line despite local opposition
First Tepco reactor restart attempt since 2011 Fukushima meltdown exposes ongoing reliability issues
Japan pushes nuclear revival for energy independence while 61% of local residents oppose restart

Critical Safety System Fails During Pre-Launch Testing

Tokyo Electric Power Company postponed the January 20, 2026 restart of its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Unit 6 reactor after a control rod alarm system malfunctioned during safety testing on January 17. The pullout prevention alarm failed to activate during control rod withdrawal tests, forcing Tepco to suspend operations and conduct comprehensive safety checks across all reactor systems. This represents the company’s first restart attempt since the catastrophic 2011 Fukushima meltdown.

JUST IN – Glitch delays restart of world's biggest nuclear plant in Japanhttps://t.co/2qqA4Ff2IL

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 19, 2026

Tepco facility manager Yutaka Kikukawa confirmed during a January 19 press briefing that while technicians corrected the alarm settings by Sunday evening, the company would prioritize thorough verification over meeting scheduled deadlines. The delay extends indefinitely as crews examine all remaining control rods, with commercial operations potentially pushed to February 26 if regulatory approval proceeds smoothly.

Fukushima Operator Faces Trust Deficit on Energy Security

The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant shutdown since 2011 represents Japan’s critical energy security challenge, as the facility could power Tokyo from 136 miles away with its seven-reactor capacity. Tepco previously faced a 2021 regulatory ban due to security breaches and falsified safety records, undermining public confidence in the company’s operational integrity. The current glitch reinforces concerns about Tepco’s technical competence despite regulatory clearance for restart operations.

Local opposition remains fierce, with 61% of Niigata Prefecture residents polling that restart conditions haven’t been met for safe operations. The plant sits directly on a seismic fault line that triggered a magnitude 6.6 earthquake in 2007, causing radiation leaks, fires, and a 21-month closure. Environmental economics professor Kenichi Oshima argues the restart prioritizes political messaging over economic viability and renewable energy development.

National Energy Goals Override Local Safety Concerns

Japan’s government pushes nuclear power to comprise 20% of the national energy mix by 2040, positioning atomic energy as essential for reducing fossil fuel imports and meeting decarbonization targets. The Niigata Prefectural Assembly recently backed the pro-restart governor despite overwhelming local opposition, demonstrating how national energy priorities supersede regional safety concerns. This restart would validate Japan’s post-Fukushima nuclear revival strategy and signal international confidence in atomic energy resurgence.

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The current delay tests public patience while reinforcing scrutiny over Japan’s nuclear safety standards and Tepco’s operational reliability. Success could boost national energy capacity and reduce dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports, while failure would significantly setback Japan’s energy independence goals and delay the transition from coal-fired power generation.