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The country is nearing giving the go-ahead for the reactivation of the world's largest atomic energy station—marking the initial occasion it would be in use since the catastrophic 2011 Fukushima event.

The governor of Niigata, head of the Niigata prefecture where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear facility is situated, announced he has given the green light for the partial restart.

The plan to resume operations at the facility, managed by utility company Tepco, must obtain consent from the local government assembly and the nation's atomic regulatory agency before it can move forward.

If approved, it would be the inaugural occasion Tokyo Electric Power would be permitted to restart atomic reactor activities in Japan since its Fukushima station went into meltdown in the wake of a massive wave.

Regional Residents Divided on Resumption

Local inhabitants in Niigata are divided over whether the plant should be restarted or not.

The governor told a media event on Friday that his ruling would be discussed in the final month of the year at a prefectural government assembly, where he would pursue the assembly's approval.

The approval would be for the recommencement of activities at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant's Reactor 6, followed by the No 7.

Background and Business Reconstruction Strategy

The resumption of operations at the station is part of Tepco's corporate recovery strategy after the Fukushima meltdown, which was triggered by a massive 9.0 quake and enormous surge.

When the plant's reactors were flooded by the surge, it resulted in radiation to leak out and required a large population to be evacuated from the zone.

Japan directed all its nuclear power plant reactors to be shut down in that year after the incident. Afterward, fourteen units have restarted.

Tepco was instructed to pay huge amounts in compensation to those harmed and is also funding the station's closure expenditures.

Local Opinion and Worries

A study published by the local government recently showed that half of its residents favored the facility's resumption, while 47% were opposed. It also revealed that almost seven in ten of individuals in the prefecture were anxious about the company operating the plant.

Energy Goals and Ahead

Friday's decision illustrates a desire among certain groups in the country to advance toward increased use of nuclear power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, as the nation seeks a target of net zero carbon emissions.