[Breaking News]TEPCO to reboot 1st reactor since Fukushima disaster

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 25 Kyodo - Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. President Tomoaki Kobayakawa speaks at a press conference at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2025. TEPCO plans to restart the No. 6 unit at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex in Niigata Prefecture on Jan. 20, the utility's first reactor reboot since the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex. (Kyodo)

TEPCO to reboot 1st reactor since Fukushima disaster

TEPCO to reboot 1st reactor since Fukushima disaster

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. President Tomoaki Kobayakawa speaks at a press conference at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2025. TEPCO plans to restart the No. 6 unit at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex in Niigata Prefecture on Jan. 20, the utility's first reactor reboot since the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex.

TEPCO to reboot 1st reactor since Fukushima disaster

TEPCO to reboot 1st reactor since Fukushima disaster

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. President Tomoaki Kobayakawa speaks at a press conference at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2025. TEPCO plans to restart the No. 6 unit at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex in Niigata Prefecture on Jan. 20, the utility's first reactor reboot since the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex.

Japan police chief in Fukushima

Japan police chief in Fukushima

Japan's National Police Agency chief Yoshinobu Kusunoki offers flowers at a memorial for victims of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Namie in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 3, 2025.

[Breaking News]Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

OTSUCHI, Japan, Aug. 15 Kyodo - Fireworks are set off in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on Aug. 15, 2025, in memory of those killed in the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster that devastated the northeastern Japan town. (Kyodo)

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks are set off in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on Aug. 15, 2025, in memory of those killed in the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster that devastated the northeastern Japan town.

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks are set off in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on Aug. 15, 2025, in memory of those killed in the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster that devastated the northeastern Japan town.

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks are set off in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on Aug. 15, 2025, in memory of those killed in the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster that devastated the northeastern Japan town.

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks are set off in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on Aug. 15, 2025, in memory of those killed in the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster that devastated the northeastern Japan town.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Paper cranes folded by people wishing for the early reconstruction from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in eastern Japan are hung in front of a department store in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Paper cranes folded by people wishing for the early reconstruction from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in eastern Japan are hung in front of a department store in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

OSAKA, Japan, May 20 Kyodo - Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (far R) pitches fishery foods at a just-opened exhibition at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, highlighting the recovery of three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. (Kyodo)

Rice planting in Fukushima

Rice planting in Fukushima

Rice is planted in a paddy on May 23, 2025, in the Nagadoro area of Iitate in Fukushima Prefecture, which saw partial lifting in 2023 of the evacuation instruction imposed in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster. If the planted rice clears safety tests for radioactive materials when harvested, the Nagadoro area would be able to ship rice to the market for the first time since the nuclear disaster.

Rice planting in Fukushima

Rice planting in Fukushima

Rice is planted in a paddy on May 23, 2025, in the Nagadoro area of Iitate in Fukushima Prefecture, which saw partial lifting in 2023 of the evacuation instruction imposed in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster. If the planted rice clears safety tests for radioactive materials when harvested, the Nagadoro area would be able to ship rice to the market for the first time since the nuclear disaster.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Visitors watch a movie at the World Exhibition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, as an exhibition highlighting recovery of the three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster begins the same day.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

An exhibit shows the height of the tsunami that hit northeastern Japan in March 2011 as an exhibition highlighting the recovery of the three prefectures severely affected by the earthquake-tsunami disaster begins at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (2nd from R) poses in front of a "digital monument" at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, as an exhibition highlighting the recovery of the three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster begins the same day. Shown on the screen is the "Miracle Pine," the only tree that survived in a coastal forest flattened by tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (far R) pitches fishery foods at a just-opened exhibition at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, highlighting the recovery of three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (2nd from L) poses for a photo during the opening ceremony of an exhibition at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, highlighting the recovery of the three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

HIGASHIMATSUSHIMA, Japan, May 5 Kyodo - Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster. (Kyodo)

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster.

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster.

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster.

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster.

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster.

Japan: Colorful Balloons Released to Mark 14th Anniversary of 2011 Earthquake

Japan marked 14th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on Tuesday, March 11. At former Arahama Elementary School in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, whose building was damaged in the natural disaster, the commemoration event "HOPE FOR project" was held where people released colorful balloons after observing a moment of silence at 2:46 p.m., the time of the 2011 earthquake.

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search the coastline of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, for clues about the fate of people who went missing after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake that triggered a massive tsunami, on March 11, 2025, the 14th anniversary of the disaster.

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search the coastline of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, for clues about the fate of people who went missing after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake that triggered a massive tsunami, on March 11, 2025, the 14th anniversary of the disaster.

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search the coastline of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, for clues about the fate of people who went missing after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake that triggered a massive tsunami, on March 11, 2025, the 14th anniversary of the disaster.

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Photo taken on March 9, 2025, shows a monument listing the names of the victims of the massive March 11, 2011, earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Kesennuma in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Miyagi two days ahead of the 14th anniversary of the disaster.

Protest over top court's decision over ex-TEPCO executives

Protest over top court's decision over ex-TEPCO executives

People stage a protest rally in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park on March 8, 2025, after Japan's top court recently rejected an appeal seeking criminal charges against three former executives of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. over their alleged failure to prevent the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Protest over top court's decision over ex-TEPCO executives

Protest over top court's decision over ex-TEPCO executives

People stage a protest rally in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park on March 8, 2025, after Japan's top court recently rejected an appeal seeking criminal charges against three former executives of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. over their alleged failure to prevent the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

IAEA chief visits idle nuclear plant in Niigata Pref.

IAEA chief visits idle nuclear plant in Niigata Pref.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi (front, L) visits the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture northwest of Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2025. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. loaded nuclear fuel into one of the reactors at the idle complex in 2024 as part of preparations to potentially restart the plant that was halted after a massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Nuclear reactor in Japan's Matsue restarted

Nuclear reactor in Japan's Matsue restarted

Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2024, shows Chugoku Electric Power Co.'s Shimane nuclear power plant in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. The plant's No. 2 reactor (L) was restarted the same day after meeting stricter safety requirements introduced following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Nuclear reactor in Japan's Matsue restarted

Nuclear reactor in Japan's Matsue restarted

Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2024, shows Chugoku Electric Power Co.'s Shimane nuclear power plant in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. The plant's No. 2 reactor (L) was restarted the same day after meeting stricter safety requirements introduced following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

[Breaking News]1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

SENDAI, Japan, Oct. 29 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News plane on Oct. 24, 2024, shows the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture. The plant's No. 2 reactor is expected to restart on Oct. 29, marking the first resumption of a nuclear reactor in northeastern Japan since the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster hit the region. (Kyodo)

Onagawa No. 2 nuclear reactor restarts in northeastern Japan

Onagawa No. 2 nuclear reactor restarts in northeastern Japan

Officials at the Onagawa nuclear power plant are engaged in the operation to restart the No. 2 reactor at the complex in Miyagi Prefecture on Oct. 29, 2024. It marked the first reactor restart in northeastern Japan since the region was affected by the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster, which triggered the Fukushima nuclear crisis. (Pool photo)

Protest against restart of Japan's nuclear reactor

Protest against restart of Japan's nuclear reactor

People stage a protest in the town of Onagawa in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Oct. 29, 2024, ahead of the restart of the No. 2 unit of the Onagawa nuclear plant (seen in the background), which was damaged by the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. It will be the first time a nuclear reactor has been restarted in the region since the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Protest against restart of Japan's nuclear reactor

Protest against restart of Japan's nuclear reactor

People stage a protest in the town of Onagawa in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Oct. 29, 2024, ahead of the restart of the No. 2 unit of the Onagawa nuclear plant (seen in the background), which was damaged by the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. It will be the first time a nuclear reactor has been restarted in the region since the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

Photo taken on Oct. 24, 2024, shows the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan. The plant's No. 2 reactor is expected to restart on Oct. 29, marking the first resumption of a nuclear reactor in the region since it was hit by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster.

CORRECTED: 1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

CORRECTED: 1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

Photo taken on Oct. 24, 2024, shows the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture. The plant's No. 2 reactor is expected to restart on Oct. 29, marking the first resumption of a nuclear reactor in northeastern Japan since the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster hit the region.

CORRECTED: 1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

CORRECTED: 1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane on Oct. 24, 2024, shows the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture. The plant's No. 2 reactor is expected to restart on Oct. 29, marking the first resumption of a nuclear reactor in northeastern Japan since the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster hit the region.

CORRECTED: 1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

CORRECTED: 1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane on Oct. 24, 2024, shows the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture. The plant's No. 2 reactor is expected to restart on Oct. 29, marking the first resumption of a nuclear reactor in northeastern Japan since the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster hit the region.

CORRECTED: 1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

CORRECTED: 1st reactor restart in Japan's 2011 disaster-hit area

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane on Oct. 24, 2024, shows the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture. The plant's No. 2 reactor is expected to restart on Oct. 29, marking the first resumption of a nuclear reactor in northeastern Japan since the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster hit the region.

Protest against restart of Japan's nuclear reactor

Protest against restart of Japan's nuclear reactor

People stage a protest in the town of Onagawa in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Oct. 29, 2024, ahead of the restart of the No. 2 unit of the Onagawa nuclear plant in the town, which was damaged by the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. It will be the first time a nuclear reactor has been restarted in the area since the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Cycling event in tsunami-hit region

Cycling event in tsunami-hit region

Tour de Tohoku competitors ride in Minamisanriku in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 15, 2024. The annual cycling event aims to support recovery from the earthquake-tsunami disaster that hit the region in March 2011.

Cycling event in tsunami-hit region

Cycling event in tsunami-hit region

Tour de Tohoku competitors start their race in Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 15, 2024. The annual cycling event aims to support recovery from the earthquake-tsunami disaster that hit the region in March 2011.

Life jacket with GPS receiver

Life jacket with GPS receiver

Minamisanriku Mayor Jin Sato poses for a photo wearing a life jacket with a GPS receiver inside, developed by Tokyo-based disaster relief firm Guardian 72, during a press event on June 20, 2024, in the Miyagi Prefecture town that was devastated by the March 2011 quake-tsunami in northeastern Japan.

Tohoku Kizuna Festival in Sendai

Tohoku Kizuna Festival in Sendai

Performers of Akita Prefecture's Kanto festival troupe hold up poles decorated with paper lanterns as they march through a street of downtown Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture during the Tohoku Kizuna Festival on June 9, 2024. The event features parades involving six northeastern Japan prefectures, with the aim of revitalizing the region following the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

Tohoku Kizuna Festival in Sendai

Tohoku Kizuna Festival in Sendai

Dancers of Miyagi Prefecture's Sendai Suzume Odori (sparrow dance) troupe march through a street during the Tohoku Kizuna Festival in the prefecture's capital Sendai on June 9, 2024. The event features parades involving six northeastern Japan prefectures, with the aim of revitalizing the region following the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.