Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Japan to vote on restarting nuclear plant
A big meeting in Japan is going to vote on whether to turn on part of a very large nuclear power plant.
This plant was turned off after a big wave caused a nuclear accident in 2011.
The plant is near the sea and has not been used since then.
The company that runs the plant says it is safe now and wants to turn on one part of it to make more electricity.
Some people in the area are worried about safety and what would happen if there was another accident.
The vote will happen by December 22, and if they say yes, they might turn on the plant in January.
This could help make more electricity for the big city of Tokyo.
Niigata regional assembly to vote by December 22, 2025, on restarting Unit No. 6 of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant.
Plant has been shut down since the 2011 Fukushima disaster caused by a powerful tsunami.
TEPCO, the operator, claims to have improved safety measures and conducted drills.
Local residents express concerns about evacuation plans and the risk of another nuclear accident.
Restarting Unit No. 6 could improve Tokyo's power supply by 2% and support growing energy demand.
- Who
- Niigata regional assembly, TEPCO, local residents
- What
- Vote on partially restarting Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant
- When
- Vote by December 22, 2025; potential restart in January 2026
- Where
- Kashiwazaki city and Kariwa village, Niigata, Japan
- Why
- To bolster domestic power sources and improve energy security
- Plant Name
- Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant
- Location
- Northeast of Tokyo, Sea of Japan coast
- Operator
- Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO)
- Voting Date
- December 22, 2025
- Unit to Restart
- Unit No. 6 (1,356-megawatt)
- Potential Impact
- 2% improvement in Tokyo's power supply
- Current Reactors Restarted
- 14 out of 33 operable reactors post-Fukushima