{"id":2523969,"date":"2025-12-22T13:27:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T18:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/japan-reopening-nuclear-plant-15-years-after-fukushima\/"},"modified":"2025-12-22T13:29:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T18:29:42","slug":"japan-reopening-nuclear-plant-15-years-after-fukushima","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/japan-reopening-nuclear-plant-15-years-after-fukushima\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan reopening nuclear plant 15 years after Fukushima"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjapan-reopening-nuclear-plant-15-years-after-fukushima%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2523969&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Japan&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/russia-launches-largest-air-assault-of-ukraine-invasion\/\" title=\"Russia Launches Largest Air Assault of Ukraine Invasion\">largest nuclear power plant<\/a>, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, is set to partially reopen after the Niigata Prefectural Assembly voted to resume operations. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) plans to reactivate one of seven reactors on Jan. 20, 2026; a TEPCO spokesperson said the company is committed to preventing a repeat of the 2011 Fukushima accident. The decision follows the shutdown of more than 50 reactors after Fukushima, which caused widespread trauma, large-scale evacuations, and over 2,<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >000 disaster-related deaths largely tied<\/a> to evacuation impacts rather than direct radiation fatalities. The reopening suggests some regional and public willingness to prioritize energy needs despite lingering safety anxieties. Separately, reports say an unnamed official in Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi&#8217;s office privately suggested Japan should consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-march-to-appeasement\/\" title=\"The March to ...peasement\">acquiring nuclear weapons<\/a>, prompting international attention: the U.S. reiterated its support for Japan&#8217;s nonproliferation record while North Korea sharply condemned the idea.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Japan reopening nuclear plant 15 years after Fukushima<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2378780\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/japan\/\">Japan<\/a>&lsquo;s largest nuclear power plant is planning to partially reopen, sparking anxiety in a nation repeatedly traumatized by the technology.<\/p>\n<p>The Niigata Prefectural Assembly voted on Monday to resume operations of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant, which was closed alongside over 50 other reactors after the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fukushima\/\">Fukushima nuclear meltdown <\/a>in 2011.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4355316\/russian-general-assassinated-moscow-car-bombing\/\">Russian general assassinated in Moscow car bombing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4342551\/witkoff-russia-fully-committed-to-peace-kremlin-signals-otherwise\/\">Witkoff maintains Russia &#8216;fully committed&#8217; to peace talks as Kremlin signals otherwise<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4142009\/israels-cabinet-19-settlements-west-bank\/\">Israel&#8217;s Cabinet approves 19 new settlements in West Bank<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, the utility company that was in charge of the Fukushima plant, will be reactivating one of the seven reactors at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa on Jan. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/china-lunatic-pompeo-worst-secretary-of-state-in-history-for-taiwan-visit\/\" title=\"China: &#039;Lunatic&#039; Pompeo \u2018Worst Secretary of State in History\u2019 for Taiwan Visit\">remain firmly committed<\/a> to never repeating such an accident and ensuring Niigata residents never experience anything similar,&rdquo; &zwnj;TEPCO spokesperson Masakatsu Takata <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.japantimes.co.jp\/news\/2025\/12\/22\/japan\/kashiwazaki-nuclear-power-plant\/\">said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">UN nuclear inspectors are guided by officials from Tokyo Electric Power Co. on the compounds of the TEPCO nuclear power plant at Kashiwazaki, northern Japan, on Monday, August 6, 2007. AP Photo\/Katsumi Kasahara)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Japan, the only nation in the world that has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/3493847\/us-decision-to-use-nuclear-weapons-ended-world-war-ii\/\">suffered a nuclear weapon strike<\/a> first-hand, has long been among the most skittish when it comes to nuclear energy for civic or military purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Those fears were exacerbated by the Fukushima disaster, when a major earthquake and subsequent tsunami took power and cooling systems offline, resulting in a multicore meltdown that forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.<\/p>\n<p>It was the largest nuclear incident since <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Chernobyl\/\">Chernobyl<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Over 2,000 &ldquo;disaster-related deaths&rdquo; have been recorded, but very few residents died as a direct result of radioactive exposure. Most of the turmoil experienced was due to the sudden evacuations, disrupting healthcare and putting physical strain on the elderly and sick.<\/p>\n<p>The reopening of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa signals that the Japanese public, or at least provincial governments, are ready to move on from Fukushima for the sake of efficient energy.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-nuclear-weapons-floated\">Nuclear weapons floated<\/h2>\n<p>At the highest levels of federal government, Japanese officials are reportedly going a step further and discussing what was once deemed nonnegotiable &mdash; the potential for the island to develop a nuclear arsenal for defensive purposes.<\/p>\n<p>State-sponsored news outlet NHK reported last week that an unnamed official in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sanae-takaichi\">Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi&rsquo;s office<\/a> floated the idea of Japan acquiring nuclear weapons for the purpose of national security.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Japan&rsquo;s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, center, first row, poses during a photo session with members of her cabinet at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-to-host-netanyahu-at-mar-a-lago-when-israeli-leader-comes-to-us-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump to host Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago when Israeli leader comes to US - Washington Examiner\">prime minister&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (Philip Fong\/Pool via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;I think we should possess nuclear weapons,&rdquo; the Japanese official reportedly said, according to Kyodo News on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>The alleged comment comes after weeks of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3885831\/japan-refuses-retract-taiwan-comments-despite-beijing-rage-beheading\/\">diplomatic turmoil<\/a> with the People&rsquo;s Republic of China caused by the prime minister&rsquo;s acknowledgement that a hypothetical invasion of Taiwan by Beijing could demand Japanese intervention.<\/p>\n<p>The Chinese Communist Party has responded with fierce rebuke &mdash; with one Japan-based diplomat threatening to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/beltway-confidential\/3882050\/china-self-defeating-japan-beheading-threat\/\">cut off Takaichi&rsquo;s head<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In the end, we can only rely on ourselves,&rdquo; the unnamed official reportedly said, according to Kyodo.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Department of State stopped short of explicitly condemning the alleged comments, but made its stance clear by heaping praise on Japan&rsquo;s history of combating nuclear proliferation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Japan is a global leader and a valuable partner to the United States on nuclear nonproliferation and advancing nuclear arms control,&rdquo; a spokesperson told the Japan Times in an email last week. &ldquo;As the National Security Strategy makes clear, the United States will maintain the world&rsquo;s most robust, credible, and modern nuclear deterrent to protect America and our allies, including Japan.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Less diplomatic was the chastisement from the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/north-korea\/\">Democratic People&rsquo;s Republic of Korea<\/a>, which quoted the director of the government&rsquo;s Institute for the Studies of Japan as saying the &ldquo;war criminal state Japan&rsquo;s attempt to go nuclear must be prevented at any cost as it will bring mankind a great disaster.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This statement was not made by mistake or out of reckless motive, but clearly reflects Japan&rsquo;s long-cherished ambition for nuclear armament,&rdquo; the North Korean official stated.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3899833\/taiwan-defensive-missile-system-modeled-after-israeli-iron-dome\/\">TAIWAN ANNOUNCES $40 BILLION DEFENSIVE MISSILE SYSTEM MODELED AFTER ISRAELI &lsquo;IRON DOME&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>He added: &ldquo;The progressive mankind loving justice and peace should resolutely check the dangerous military acts of Japan which is rushing towards nuclear armament with the backing of the US, denying its crime-woven history.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>It is a somewhat farcical analysis from North Korea, given supreme leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kim-jong-un\/\">Kim Jong Un<\/a>&lsquo;s previous pledge that his government will &ldquo;never give up our nuclear weapons.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Japan plans to reopen plant 15 yrs after Fukushima<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2523970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP07080601767.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[69233,4461,41210,69234],"class_list":["post-2523969","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-fukushima","tag-japan","tag-nuclear-power","tag-reactor-restart"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP07080601767.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2523969","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2523969"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2523969\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2523973,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2523969\/revisions\/2523973"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2523970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2523969"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2523969"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2523969"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}