Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) announced on the 9th that it has restarted the reactor of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 6, located in Niigata Prefecture, after previously halting operations due to control rod troubles. Although the unit had initially restarted at the end of January, it encountered issues almost immediately which led to a halt in operations. TEPCO has now identified and resolved the cause of these problems and is extending the planned commercial operation start date from February 26 to March 18.

On the afternoon of the 9th, TEPCO began the process of withdrawing control rods designed to limit nuclear fission from the nuclear fuel set in the reactor. The company plans to gradually increase the output while generating steam and performing equipment inspections. This process will include an 'intermediate shutdown' to confirm that there are no issues with the turbine system, before ultimately resuming regular operations based on checks from Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority and TEPCO's own evaluations. TEPCO has expressed its commitment to rigorously respond to the inspections and ensure the integrity of the equipment.

The restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant is significant given TEPCO's troubled history, especially following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, which raised public concerns over nuclear safety. The decision to restart showcases both the ongoing reliance on nuclear energy in Japan and the challenges faced by TEPCO in restoring public trust and regulatory confidence after past incidents. The implications of this restart extend to discussions about energy policy and safety regulations in a country still cautious about nuclear power in the wake of disastrous events.