The country is nearing giving the go-ahead for the restart of the planet's biggest atomic energy station—the first time it would be in use since the catastrophic 2011 Fukushima event.
The governor of Niigata, leader of the Niigata area where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant is situated, stated he has given the green light for the limited resumption.
The proposal to resume operations at the plant, run by the Tokyo Electric Power Company, requires authorization from the prefecture's government assembly and the Japanese nuclear oversight body before it can move forward.
If approved, it would be the inaugural occasion Tokyo Electric Power would be permitted to restart nuclear reactor operations in Japan since its Fukushima station suffered a core meltdown following a tidal surge.
Regional Citizens Split on Restart
Residents in Niigata are of differing opinions over whether the facility should resume operations or not.
Hanazumi informed a news conference on Friday that his decision would be debated in December at a regional assembly, where he would pursue the body's consent.
The consent would be for the resumption of functioning at the facility's No 6 reactor, followed by the seventh reactor.
Background and Corporate Recovery Strategy
The recommencement of functioning at the station is part of the utility's business reconstruction plan in the aftermath of the Fukushima meltdown, which was resulted from a powerful seismic event and huge tidal wave.
When the facility's atomic cores were submerged by the tidal wave, it caused the release of radiation and required 150,000 people to be relocated from the zone.
The Japanese government ordered all its nuclear power plant reactors to be deactivated in 2011 after the catastrophe. From that point, a number of reactors have resumed operations.
Tepco was mandated to pay trillions of Japanese yen in compensation to those affected and is also funding the station's closure expenditures.
Public Opinion and Concerns
A survey issued by the region last month indicated that 50% of its inhabitants supported the plant's restart, while nearly half were in disagreement. It also revealed that almost seven in ten of individuals in the area were concerned about Tepco running the station.
Power Goals and Future
The recent ruling illustrates a interest among various Japanese to progress to expanded reliance of atomic energy to lessen use of fossil fuels, as the country aims for a objective of zero net emissions.
