Niigata Governor Approves Resumption of Nuclear Reactors

Governor of Niigata, Hedeyo Hanazumi, announced that he would approve resumption of reactor #6 and #7 in Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant owned by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). It will be the first attempt for TEPCO to resume a nuclear power reactor, since it had a severe accident in First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in 2011, which caused tens of thousands of evacuees from their hometowns. About a half of residents in Niigata prefecture still embrace fundamental concern on TEPCO’s operation of the plant.

In a press conference in Niigata Prefectural Government’s office, Hanazumi told that he would approve resumption of the reactors with seven conditions to the national government. The conditions are: further explanations to the people in Niigata about safety of the plant, reconfirmation of safety with a new acknowledgement, laying out measures for emergency, removing snow to secure evacuation routes in winter, measures for armed attack or disposal of used nuclear fuels, enhancement of oversight on TEPCO, and extension of subsidy for local communities.

 

Hanazumi explained that nuclear power generation would be necessary for Japan to cover demands for large amount of electric power by data center or semiconductor industries. “It is inevitable that some would have frustration on resumption of the reactors, if we choose one of the two opinions,” said Hanazumi, acknowledging sharp division over resumption of nuclear power reactors in Niigata.

 

Hanazumi was elected 2018, replacing his predecessor who had been against the resumption, with support of leading coalition parties of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito that promoted energy policies based on maximum use of nuclear power. Hanazumi has been pressured by national government to approve the resumption. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry requested Hanazumi to understand resumption of the reactors in March 2024

 

He once promised that he would ask approval of the people before decision of resumption, which was generally supposed to have a referendum or gubernatorial election with his resignation. However, he announced that he would ask approval of Niigata Prefectural Assembly, in which supporter of Hanazumi occupy a majority. It is anticipated that he would ask assembly’s approval in early December.

 

It is likely that true reason of Hanazumi’s approval was funds from TEPCO. Resumption of nuclear reactors in Kazhiwazaki-Kariwa is expected to improve TEPCO’s financial balance by 100 billion yen a year. TEPCO offered 100 billion yen for ten years to Niigata prefecture to build facilities for evacuation or for other purposes. Buying an approval for the NIMBY (not in my backyard) project with subsidy is an ordinary measure of the government or business entity with public interest such as an electric power company.

 

However, TEPCO has not achieved sufficient confidence on its operation of nuclear facility. It fabricated safety checking data in 2002, Fire and leak of water occurred in the plant with an earthquake in 2007. After the reactors stopped operation with Fukushima accident TEPCO failed in resumption of reactors in Kashiwazaki-Kariwa with poor anti-terrorism measures.

 

Supporters for resumption expects development in infrastructures in local community which population has been declining with demographic concentration to urban area. But protests expanded from civil group in Niigata to the victims of the accident in Fukushima who cannot get back to their homes for 14 years.

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