Japanese nuclear reactor restarts after extensive safety upgrades

TOKYO - A Japanese nuclear reactor that withstood the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the Fukushima Daiichi plant has restarted after extensive safety upgrades.

On October 29, the No. 2 reactor at the Onagawa nuclear power plant, located 62 miles north of Fukushima, resumed operations for the first time since the disaster, according to operator Tohoku Electric Power Co. It is expected to start generating power in early November.

The Onagawa plant, struck by a 42-foot tsunami, managed to maintain its cooling systems and safely shut down all three reactors during the 2011 disaster. The No. 2 reactor is now the 13th of Japan's remaining 33 operational reactors to come back online and the first of the same type that failed at Fukushima to restart.

The Japanese government, focused on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, is pushing to expand nuclear energy for reliable power and emissions reduction. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized nuclear energy's role alongside renewables, stating, "We will maximize its use while ensuring safety."

To bolster Japan's energy security, the government's plan includes reactivating idle reactors, extending the lifespan of older plants, and developing next-generation reactors. Restarting nuclear reactors has also become a priority for economic growth.

Safety upgrades for Onagawa's No. 2 reactor began in 2013, involving revised tsunami risk assessments and enhanced earthquake protection measures. A 29-meter (95-foot) anti-tsunami wall was built to protect the plant. Regulatory authorities approved the plant's safety measures in 2020, allowing for the restart.

Despite reassurances, public concerns remain high about nuclear energy's safety, especially after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Japan's Noto Peninsula on January 1, 2024, causing more than 400 fatalities and extensive damage. Minor issues were reported at nearby nuclear facilities, and regional evacuation plans were criticized as inadequate.

Since the Fukushima disaster, Japan's nuclear industry has faced stricter safety standards. Many reactors were decommissioned, including six at Fukushima Daiichi and one at Onagawa, as operators opted to retire them rather than invest in costly new safety equipment.