Nuclear Power as Solution to Energy Crisis in Japan: Restart of World’s Largest Nuclear Plant

Japan is turning back to nuclear power to enhance its energy security and address the 2022 energy crisis, after shutting down its largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki Kariwa, in 2012. The restart of this plant, which is the world’s largest nuclear power generator, is still pending approval from the Niigata prefecture’s governor.

In response to the 2011 Fukushima disaster, Japan banned Tokyo Electric Power Co. from operating the plant and shut it down. However, in December, the Japanese authorities lifted the ban after improvements were made to address safety concerns. Japan, a resource-poor country that imports most of its energy, is now looking at nuclear power as a viable option to mitigate energy costs and strengthen its energy independence.

The Kashiwazaki Kariwa plant was shut down in 2012 following safety breaches that led to a ban on Tokyo Electric Power Co. operating the plant. However, in December, the Japanese authorities lifted the ban after improvements were made to address safety concerns. Japan is now planning to develop new reactors while extending the operating lifespan of existing ones beyond the current limit of 60 years as part of its efforts to mitigate energy costs and strengthen its energy independence.