Japan restarts world’s largest nuclear plant reactor after Fukushima shutdown

New Delhi, Jan 21: Japan has restarted operations at the world’s largest nuclear power plant for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster forced the shutdown of all nuclear reactors in the country, reports the international press. Reactor number 6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, located north-west of Tokyo, was brought back online despite safety concerns raised by local residents, reports the BBC.The restart was delayed by a day due to an alarm malfunction. The reactor is expected to begin commercial operations next month.

Japan had been an early adopter of nuclear power to reduce its dependence on energy imports. However, following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered a nuclear meltdown at Fukushima, one of the worst nuclear accidents in history, all 54 reactors in the country were shut down.