Japan lifted operation ban on world’s largest nuclear plant
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) said it had lifted its de facto ban on the operation of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture – the most powerful in the world, TASS reports
Operation was effectively banned in April 2021 due to safety violations, and the NRA refused to supply nuclear fuel to the station. Since then, Japan’s nuclear watchdog has carried out numerous inspections at nuclear power plants to monitor Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (TEPCO) progress in correcting shortcomings.
TEPCO has made significant progress in improving nuclear plant safety over the past two years. Additional measures were taken to protect against terrorist attacks, stormy weather, and equipment to ensure the safety of nuclear materials was updated. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference in Tokyo that the government attaches great importance to the security improvements made at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa. It intends to continue the gradual policy of restoring the operation of nuclear power plants throughout the country.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan, occupies a leading position in the world in terms of the total capacity of its seven nuclear reactors, which exceeds 8,200MW. Currently, all power units at the station are suspended.
