当地人持续抗议！曾因福岛核事故关闭的日本最大核电站将重启

Core Viewpoint - The Niigata Prefectural Assembly has approved a supplementary budget to fund the restart of Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, marking a significant step towards its reopening after multiple accidents and public protests against the decision [1][2]. Group 1: Restart Plans and Approvals - TEPCO plans to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant's Unit 6 on January 20, 2026, and will apply for necessary inspections from the Nuclear Regulation Authority [1]. - The Niigata Prefectural Assembly passed the supplementary budget with a majority vote, which is essential for the Japanese government to make a decision regarding the restart [1]. - The local government has completed the necessary local consent procedures for the restart of the nuclear power plant [1]. Group 2: Public Opposition and Protests - Following the announcement of the restart, local citizen groups protested outside the Niigata Prefectural Government building, calling for a national referendum to gauge public opinion [2]. - On November 25, over 1,000 participants formed a human chain around the government and assembly buildings to express their opposition to the plant's reopening [2]. Group 3: Safety Concerns and Regulatory Issues - The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, with a total capacity of approximately 8.212 million kilowatts, has been shut down since the Fukushima disaster in 2011 and has faced multiple management issues [3]. - The Nuclear Regulation Authority had previously issued a de facto operating ban due to serious management deficiencies, including the failure of intrusion detection systems [3][4]. - TEPCO has committed to enhancing security measures, including installing intrusion detection systems and hiring additional security personnel, but the Nuclear Regulation Authority has deemed these efforts insufficient [4].