The country is nearing authorizing the resumption of the world's largest atomic energy station—the first time it would be operated since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear incident.
The governor of Niigata, leader of the Niigata area where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear facility is located, announced he has approved for the limited resumption.
The plan to resume operations at the station, run by utility company Tepco, must obtain authorization from the regional legislative body and the nation's atomic regulatory agency before it can proceed.
If approved, it would be the initial instance Tokyo Electric Power would be authorized to resume atomic reactor activities in Japan since its Fukushima facility experienced a meltdown following a massive wave.
Regional Inhabitants Split on Resumption
People living in Niigata are of differing opinions over whether the plant should be restarted or not.
Hanazumi told a news conference on Friday that his ruling would be considered in December at a regional assembly, where he would pursue the assembly's approval.
The approval would be for the restart of functioning at the facility's sixth reactor, then the No 7.
Background and Business Reconstruction Strategy
The resumption of operations at the station is part of the utility's company revitalization initiative after the Fukushima meltdown, which was caused by a massive 9.0 quake and enormous surge.
When the facility's atomic cores were flooded by the surge, it led to the release of radiation and required 150,000 people to be relocated from the region.
Japan mandated all its atomic energy facility units to be closed in that year in the wake of the catastrophe. Since then, 14 reactors have resumed operations.
The company was ordered to pay trillions of Japanese yen in damages to those harmed and is also covering the station's closure expenditures.
Public Sentiment and Worries
A study issued by Niigata prefecture in the previous month showed that half of its locals favored the station's reactivation, while nearly half were in disagreement. It also indicated that almost 70% of people in the prefecture were anxious about the utility managing the station.
Power Targets and Future
The governor's approval shows a desire among some in Japan to advance toward greater utilization of atomic energy to cut dependence on fossil fuels, as the nation pursues a target of carbon neutrality.
