Tomari reactor gets green light as Japan ramps up nuclear revival

Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has given preliminary approval for the restart of the Tomari No. 3 nuclear reactor, marking the country’s first nuclear reactivation since 2021 and signaling renewed momentum in Tokyo’s strategy to expand nuclear power generation and reduce fossil fuel dependence.

The decision, announced during a live-streamed session on April 30, concluded that Hokkaido Electric Power Co.’s Tomari No. 3 unit complies with post-Fukushima safety regulations, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The reactor has been offline since 2012, following the nationwide shutdown of nuclear facilities after the 2011 disaster at Fukushima Daiichi.

Japan’s government has recently adopted a new energy strategy emphasizing the expanded use of nuclear power as a cornerstone of its decarbonization and energy security goals. However, the restart of idled reactors has progressed slowly due to stringent regulatory processes, extensive safety upgrades, and persistent public and local government opposition.

According to Hokkaido Electric’s president, the utility anticipates the unit could resume operations by 2027, contingent upon receiving final approvals. “Japan’s atomic watchdog cleared the first nuclear restart since 2021, a shot in the arm for the government’s effort to increase power generation from the energy source and reduce dependence on fossil fuels,” the company noted.

The regulator’s preliminary report now enters a public consultation phase before formal authorization can be granted. At present, fewer than half of Japan’s 33 operable reactors have been brought back online.

The restart of Tomari No. 3 is expected to contribute significantly to Japan’s long-term energy planning, particularly as the country seeks to stabilize energy supplies amid global price volatility and rising demand for low-emission alternatives.

By Vafa Guliyeva