• Japan votes to restart the world's largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, after a historic shutdown since the Fukushima disaster.
• The local Niigata government has approved the restart, despite pushback from residents, including protests against the decision.
• Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) is considering reactivating the first reactor by January 20 to boost electricity supply.
• Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi supports the nuclear revival to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
• Public sentiment remains wary, with surveys showing significant concerns about safety issues.

The Japanese region of Niigata has voted to endorse the restart of the world's largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, marking a pivotal point in the country's return to nuclear energy nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster. The decision follows the shutdown of 54 reactors post-2011, the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl, after an earthquake and tsunami affected the Fukushima Daiichi facility. With only 14 out of 33 operable reactors currently restarted, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa will be the first operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), which managed the ill-fated Fukushima plant, presenting both an opportunity and a significant risk, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and Al Jazeera.

If approved, TEPCO is looking to reactivate the first of the seven reactors at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa by January 20, as the plant's restart is seen as crucial to enhancing electric supply to the Tokyo area by 2%. TEPCO has committed to inject 100 billion yen (approximately $641 million) into the region over the next decade to gain local support, although a survey revealed that 60% of Niigata residents don't feel the conditions for the restart have been met, and nearly 70% are apprehensive about TEPCO operating the plant, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and Al Jazeera.