Chugoku Electric Power Co. announced plans to initiate pluthermal generation at the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant's Unit 2, located in Matsue City, starting in fiscal year 2029. This announcement was made during a meeting on the 12th with Matsue City officials, where the head of the nuclear division outlined the necessity of regulatory approvals for the use of mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, which is produced from reprocessed spent nuclear fuel combined with uranium. This marks a significant milestone as it will be the first pluthermal operation in Japan using a boiling water reactor (BWR) since the introduction of new regulatory standards following the Fukushima disaster in 2011.

The pluthermal plan for Shimane Unit 2 has a complex history, having received national permission in 2008 and preliminary understanding from Shimane Prefecture and Matsue City in 2009. However, operations were halted for approximately 13 years after the Fukushima incident. Chugoku Electric has been seeking to resume the project, providing updates to local governments in the vicinity of the nuclear plant, which falls under a 30-kilometer radius that includes both Shimane and Tottori Prefectures.

Following the meeting, Matsue Mayor Akihito Kamizato emphasized the importance of transparent communication and community awareness regarding the pluthermal generation plan, indicating that citizen engagement and understanding are paramount. Conversely, Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai expressed strong dissent, stating that Tottori Prefecture had not been adequately informed by Chugoku Electric and asserted that any push to proceed would be met with firm opposition. Hirai called for a complete reconsideration of the plans before moving forward, highlighting the regional tensions surrounding nuclear energy development post-Fukushima.