Overview
- Governor Hideyo Hanazumi formally consented to restarting Units 6 and 7, removing the last local hurdle after the prefectural assembly’s budget vote.
- TEPCO is expected to request a final inspection by the Nuclear Regulation Authority this week, and NHK reports Unit 6 could restart around January 20, a timeline the utility has not confirmed.
- The seven‑reactor complex, described as the world’s largest by capacity, has been offline since 2012; work to bring Unit 7 back will take years longer.
- The move aligns with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to expand nuclear power to curb fossil‑fuel imports and meet rising electricity demand, including from AI data centers.
- Roughly 300 people protested outside the Niigata assembly and distrust of TEPCO remains high, even as the company’s shares rose about 1.7% after the vote.