Overview
- Startup of Unit 6 at the world’s largest nuclear plant began Wednesday evening following Niigata governor approval but was halted within hours.
- TEPCO said a surveillance-system alarm triggered during procedures led to the suspension, and it has not provided a timeline for resuming operations.
- The company noted the restart had already been delayed earlier in the week after a separate alarm issue detected over the weekend was addressed on Sunday.
- The restart marks the first TEPCO reactor to come back online since 2011, a step tied to Japan’s plans to curb fossil-fuel use and meet rising power demand.
- Local resistance remains strong with protests, a petition of about 40,000 signatures, and survey data showing 60% of Niigata residents oppose the restart, even as the plant touts upgrades such as a 15-meter tsunami seawall and elevated backup power systems.