• Japan is set to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, the world's largest, nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster.
• A vote of confidence was passed by Niigata's prefecture assembly, allowing TEPCO to proceed with reactivating the facility.
• Public sentiment is largely skeptical, with a survey showing 60% of locals feel safety conditions haven't been met.
• TEPCO has committed 100 billion yen for community support but faces protests from residents fearful of nuclear risks.

The Japanese region of Niigata is on the brink of a pivotal decision to restart the world’s largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, nearly 15 years following the catastrophic Fukushima disaster in 2011. This facility, located approximately 220 km northwest of Tokyo, was one of 54 reactors that were shut down after the disaster. The restarts are part of Japan's broader strategy to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, with 14 of the 33 operable reactors having already returned to service since the tragedy, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The Niigata prefecture's assembly has cast a confidence vote allowing this critical restart, supported by Governor Hideyo Hanazumi. This was viewed as an essential step toward reactivating the first of the seven reactors, which could significantly boost electricity supply to the Tokyo area by an estimated 2%, as stated by Japan's trade ministry. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which managed the ill-fated Fukushima plant, is optimistic about this development, emphasizing its commitment to preventing future accidents, according to South China Morning Post.

Despite the governmental support, local sentiment remains fraught with skepticism and fear. A recent survey indicated that 60% of residents believe that the necessary safety conditions for the restart have not been fulfilled, and approximately 70% have expressed concerns regarding TEPCO's capacity to operate the plant safely. These sentiments have been vocalized through protests, with individuals like Ayako Oga, who evacuated from the Fukushima region, articulating their fears based on firsthand experiences of nuclear risk. Oga has been involved in protests opposing the restart, stating, "We know firsthand the risk of a nuclear accident and cannot dismiss it," according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

As TEPCO prepares for the potential activation of its reactors, the company has pledged to invest 100 billion yen ($641 million) into Niigata over the next decade in an effort to gain community support. Nonetheless, activist opposition remains strong, with a notable protest gathering occurring just before the assembly vote, where demonstrators expressed their fears and doubts about the nuclear revival under the slogan “Never forget Fukushima's lessons!” Indeed, many locals fear that the region may see a repeat of past disasters, highlighting an ongoing struggle between energy needs and public safety concerns, as noted by South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.