As of November 21, 2025, Niigata Governor Hideo Hanazumi agreed to the restart of a nuclear reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant, the first for operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) since the 2011 Fukushima accident. [1] A public opinion survey conducted in the summer of 2025 revealed that the safety and disaster prevention measures at the plant are not sufficiently recognized by residents of Niigata prefecture. According to the survey, younger generations between the ages of 20-30 tend to be more supportive of restarting the plant compared to older generations. The issue of how to approach the potential restart of the plant has been a long-standing concern for residents as opinions are very divided. The governor has stated that if he receives approval from the assembly to continue serving as governor, he will report the move to the national government, thereby ending the process of obtaining local consent. The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) cleared both the No. 6 and No. 7 reactors following safety reviews in 2017. The governor has insisted that the plant is considered necessary to abide by the national policy that is advancing the use of nuclear power generation for its stability, self-sufficiency, and ability to address vulnerabilities in Japan’s power supply structure.

[1] https://www.pref.niigata.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/471705.pdf