Japan has officially resumed operations at the Onagawa nuclear power plant, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s energy landscape after the catastrophic 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which severely impacted the nearby Fukushima nuclear facility.
Tohoku Electric Power Co. announced that the No. 2 reactor at the Onagawa facility was brought back online on Tuesday, with expectations to begin generating electricity in early November. This development represents the first operational status of the reactor since the devastating events of 2011 and follows extensive safety upgrades to enhance its resilience.
What Happened to the Reactor
As one of the three reactors housed at the Onagawa plant, this unit is strategically located just 62 miles north of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, where a magnitude 9.0 temblor and subsequent tsunami caused three reactors to melt down, releasing significant quantities of radiation into the surrounding environment.
The remarkable performance of the Onagawa reactor during the 2011 crisis, which saw a towering 13-meter tsunami surge that failed to disable its critical cooling systems, has established it as a beacon of Japan’s ongoing recovery and a testament to the nation’s engineering prowess.
In the wake of the Fukushima disaster, Japan decommissioned all 54 of its commercial nuclear reactors for thorough safety reassessments and vital upgrades. Currently, 13 out of the 33 reactors deemed viable have been reactivated, with the Onagawa No. 2 being the latest to return to the energy grid.
Renewing Nuclear Power
Kojiro Higuchi, President of Tohoku Electric Power, emphasized that the restart of the reactor is a crucial advancement for the local community’s efforts to recover from the disaster. This move also aligns with the government’s wider initiative to revitalize nuclear energy as a part of a reliable, low-emission energy portfolio.
In 2022, Japan reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear energy, setting a target to attain carbon neutrality by 2050. This ambitious plan encompasses the reactivation of more decommissioned reactors, the extension of operational life for aging facilities, and the development of next-generation nuclear technology.
“Nuclear energy, along with renewables, is an important power source for decarbonization,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi remarked on Tuesday. “We will maximize its use while ensuring safety.”
However, despite robust governmental support, the shift back toward nuclear energy remains contentious among the public, especially following a recent earthquake on Japan’s Noto Peninsula, which registered a magnitude of 7.5, tragically resulting in over 400 fatalities and significant destruction to more than 100,000 buildings. While only minor concerns were noted at adjacent nuclear facilities, the quake has rekindled public anxiety regarding the risks associated with nuclear energy and the adequacy of evacuation plans for residents living near these plants.
What Are the Upgrades to the Reactor?
To enhance safety measures, Tohoku Electric has implemented comprehensive upgrades at the Onagawa plant, including new anti-quake protocols and the construction of an impressive 29-meter high anti-tsunami wall designed to protect the facility from future natural disasters. Nonetheless, with 21 reactors, including six at Fukushima Daiichi, expected to face decommissioning due to the high costs of safety upgrades and retrofitting, Japan’s nuclear future now hinges on a delicate balance of safety, energy security, and restoration of public trust.
