Скачать или смотреть Japan to reopen world's largest nuclear plant

Japan is preparing to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the world’s largest, marking the first time Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) will operate a reactor since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The Japanese government views this as a vital step toward strengthening energy security and reducing the high costs associated with fossil fuel imports. This move is also intended to support the increasing power demands of the country's growing AI data center industry.

To address safety concerns, TEPCO has invested significantly in security upgrades, including the construction of massive seawalls. However, local sentiment remains deeply divided; nearly 70% of residents express unease about TEPCO’s management, and many continue to protest the revival of nuclear power in the region. Despite this local skepticism, the restart is considered a major milestone in Japan's broader strategy to achieve carbon neutrality and double its nuclear energy share by 2040.