9. Global Energy Shift: Japan’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa and the Nuclear Renaissance

On February 9, 2026, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) successfully restarted the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant. This marks a pivotal moment in Japan’s energy trajectory, as the world’s largest nuclear facility returns to service following an operationally induced pause in January and a nearly 14-year hiatus post-Fukushima. • World’s Largest Capacity: With seven reactors and a total potential output of 8.2 Gigawatts (GW), Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the largest nuclear power station globally. The restart of Unit 6 (1.36 GW) is the first step in bringing the entire complex back to full operational capacity. • Technological Rectification: The restart was delayed by an \'overly sensitive\' alarm setup in the inverter system controlling the reactor’s control rods. TEPCO adjusted these settings after verifying that the hardware was intact, emphasizing a \'safety-first\' protocol to regain public trust. • Strategic Energy Re-embrace: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan is aggressively pivoting back to atomic energy. This shift aims to achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050, reduce dependency on volatile fossil fuel imports, and meet the massive power demands of a growing AI and data center ecosystem.• Fukushima Legacy & Scrutiny: As the operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant, TEPCO remains under intense regulatory and public oversight. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart is a \'litmus test\' for the company’s ability to manage high-risk infrastructure in a post-disaster era. • Roadmap to Commercial Operations: Following the restart and criticality confirmation, the unit is scheduled to begin trial power transmission by mid-February, with a target date of March 18, 2026, for full commercial operations. Key Definitions • Control Rods: Components made of neutron-absorbing materials used in nuclear reactors to control the rate of fission or to halt the nuclear chain reaction (scramming). • Criticality: The state of a nuclear reactor when a self-sustaining fission chain reaction is achieved, where each fission event releases enough neutrons to cause exactly one more fission event. • Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR): The specific design of Unit 6 at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, which utilizes water both as a coolant and a neutron moderator to drive turbines. Constitutional & Legal Provisions • Atomic Energy Basic Act, 1955: The foundational law in Japan governing the peaceful use of nuclear energy, emphasizing democratic management and public safety. • Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA): An independent administrative body established in 2012 in the wake of the Fukushima disaster to provide stricter safety screenings and oversight for reactor restarts. • GX (Green Transformation) Basic Policy: A 2023 Japanese policy framework that reclassifies nuclear power as a \'core\' energy source and allows for the operation of reactors beyond the previous 60-year limit under specific conditions. • Article 25 (Constitution of Japan): Often cited in legal challenges by anti-nuclear groups, it guarantees the \'right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living,\' framing safety as a fundamental right. UPSC Relevance • GS Paper II: Effect of policies and politics of developed countries on India’s interests; International relations and global energy diplomacy. • GS Paper III: Infrastructure: Energy; Science and Technology; Environmental pollution and degradation (Carbon neutrality goals). • Comparative Governance: Comparing India\'s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and AERB with Japan\'s NRA regarding safety protocols and public accountability. Conclusion The revival of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is more than just a utility update; it represents Japan\'s attempt to reconcile its traumatic nuclear past with an urgent, energy-hungry future. For the global community, it signals that even the most disaster-wary nations are finding nuclear power indispensable for meeting Net Zero targets. Success here will likely embolden other nations to extend the lifespans of their aging nuclear fleets.