Japan's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, the largest in the world by potential capacity, has suspended operations just a day after its much-anticipated restart. The Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) halted the process after an alarm was triggered during the reactor start-up procedures, though the reactor remains stable with no radioactive impact outside, according to Tepco spokesperson Takashi Kobayashi.

A Decade of Dormancy

The plant, located in Niigata province, had been dormant since the catastrophic 2011 Fukushima disaster, which prompted Japan to shut down all its nuclear reactors. The Fukushima incident, caused by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami, resulted in a meltdown and forced over 150,000 people to evacuate. Many have yet to return, despite assurances of safety.

Current Investigations and Public Sentiment

Tepco is currently investigating the cause of the alarm, with site superintendent Takeyuki Inagaki stating that resolving the issue is not expected to be quick. The company has not provided a timeline for when operations might resume. Public opinion in the region remains divided; a recent survey indicated that 60% of Niigata residents oppose the restart, citing safety concerns and the plant's proximity to an active seismic fault zone.

Japan's Energy Strategy

Japan's government is keen to revive its nuclear energy sector to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet its carbon neutrality goals by 2050. Before the Fukushima disaster, nuclear power accounted for nearly 30% of Japan's electricity, with plans to increase this to 50% by 2030. Since 2015, Japan has restarted 15 of its 33 operable reactors as part of this strategy.