[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)

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - The EPR reactor in Flamanville startup of France's first new nuclear reactor in 25 years. Flamanville, France, December 28, 2025. Photo by Lionel Urman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - The EPR reactor in Flamanville startup of France's first new nuclear reactor in 25 years. Flamanville, France, December 28, 2025. Photo by Lionel Urman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - The EPR reactor in Flamanville startup of France's first new nuclear reactor in 25 years. Flamanville, France, December 28, 2025. Photo by Lionel Urman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - The EPR reactor in Flamanville startup of France's first new nuclear reactor in 25 years. Flamanville, France, December 28, 2025. Photo by Lionel Urman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - The EPR reactor in Flamanville startup of France's first new nuclear reactor in 25 years. Flamanville, France, December 28, 2025. Photo by Lionel Urman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - The EPR reactor in Flamanville startup of France's first new nuclear reactor in 25 years. Flamanville, France, December 28, 2025. Photo by Lionel Urman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - The EPR reactor in Flamanville startup of France's first new nuclear reactor in 25 years. Flamanville, France, December 28, 2025. Photo by Lionel Urman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - The EPR reactor in Flamanville startup of France's first new nuclear reactor in 25 years. Flamanville, France, December 28, 2025. Photo by Lionel Urman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - The EPR reactor in Flamanville startup of France's first new nuclear reactor in 25 years. Flamanville, France, December 28, 2025. Photo by Lionel Urman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor Starts Up - France

Illustration - The EPR reactor in Flamanville startup of France's first new nuclear reactor in 25 years. Flamanville, France, December 28, 2025. Photo by Lionel Urman/ABACAPRESS.COM

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.

Disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear plant

Disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear plant

Photo taken on Dec. 2, 2025, in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, shows the No. 3 reactor building at the disaster-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant where decommissioning work is taking place. (Pool photo)

Disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear plant

Disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear plant

Photo taken on Dec. 2, 2025, in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, shows the No. 2 (L) and No. 3 (C) reactor buildings at the disaster-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant where decommissioning work is taking place. (Pool photo)

Disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear plant

Disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear plant

Photo taken on Dec. 2, 2025, in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, shows the No. 1 reactor building at the disaster-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant where decommissioning work is taking place. (Pool photo)

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

NIIGATA, Japan, Nov. 21 Kyodo - Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi holds an unscheduled press conference in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025, saying he will approve the restart of the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in the prefecture, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis. (Kyodo)

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Members of a citizens group rally in front of the Niigata prefectural government office in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025, in protest over Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi's decision the same day to approve the restart of the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in the prefecture, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Members of a citizens group rally in front of the Niigata prefectural government office in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025, in protest over Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi's decision the same day to approve the restart of the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in the prefecture, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Members of a citizens group rally in front of the Niigata prefectural government office in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025, in protest over Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi's decision the same day to approve the restart of the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in the prefecture, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi holds an unscheduled press conference in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025, saying he will approve the restart of the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in the prefecture, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi holds an unscheduled press conference in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025, saying he will approve the restart of the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in the prefecture, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi holds an unscheduled press conference in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025, saying he will approve the restart of the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in the prefecture, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi holds an unscheduled press conference in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025, saying he will approve the restart of the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in the prefecture, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Photo taken on Nov. 7, 2025, shows the No. 6 reactor (C) at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo. Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi agreed on Nov. 21 to the restart of the reactor, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Photo taken on Nov. 7, 2025, shows the No. 6 reactor (C) at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo. Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi agreed on Nov. 21 to the restart of the reactor, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Niigata gov. OKs TEPCO's 1st nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

Photo taken on Nov. 7, 2025, shows the No. 6 reactor (C) at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo. Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi agreed on Nov. 21 to the restart of the reactor, the first for its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Illustration - Nuclear Power Plants

Illustration - Nuclear Power Plants

FRANCE. LORRAINE. MOSELLE (57) CATTENOM NUCLEAR POWER PLANT (ARCHIVES, 2003): THE REACTOR VESSEL COVER HAD MICRO-CRACKS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED: A DELICATE OPERATION THAT WE FOLLOWED EXCLUSIVELY. FIRST STEP: THE NEW COVER ENTERS THE REACTOR BUILDING (OR BR, IN EDF JARGON) THROUGH THE EQUIPMENT AIRLOCK. WITH A DIAMETER OF 8 METRES, THIS AIRLOCK IS SEALED BY 164 ENORMOUS BOLTS. OPENING IT TAKES THREE HOURS OF WORK! Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Nuclear Power Plants

Illustration - Nuclear Power Plants

FRANCE. LORRAINE. MOSELLE (57) CATTENOM NUCLEAR POWER PLANT (ARCHIVES, 2003): INTERIOR OF REACTOR BUILDING NO. 4. THE REACTOR VESSEL COVER HAD MICRO-CRACKS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED: A DELICATE OPERATION THAT WE FOLLOWED EXCLUSIVELY. FIRST STEP: THE NEW COVER ENTERS THE REACTOR BUILDING (OR BR, IN EDF JARGON) THROUGH THE EQUIPMENT AIRLOCK. WITH A DIAMETER OF 8 METRES, THIS AIRLOCK IS SEALED BY 164 ENORMOUS BOLTS. OPENING IT TAKES THREE HOURS OF WORK! Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Small drone to investigate interior of Fukushima plant reactor

Small drone to investigate interior of Fukushima plant reactor

Photo taken in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Oct. 1, 2025, shows a very small drone to be used to investigate the interior of the No. 3 reactor containment vessel at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The drone -- 13 centimeters by 12 CM -- weighing 95 grams was unveiled to the media the same day before its likely use from November.

Drone for crippled Fukushima nuclear plant survey

Drone for crippled Fukushima nuclear plant survey

Photo taken in Kashiwa in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Oct. 1, 2025, shows a drone flying inside a facility simulating the No. 3 reactor containment vessel at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings plans to use the drone to investigate the containment vessel from November to gather information necessary to remove melted fuel debris.

Drone for crippled Fukushima nuclear plant survey

Drone for crippled Fukushima nuclear plant survey

Photo taken in Kashiwa in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Oct. 1, 2025, shows a drone flying inside a facility simulating the No. 3 reactor containment vessel at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings plans to use the drone to investigate the containment vessel from November to gather information necessary to remove melted fuel debris.

Drone in crippled Fukushima nuclear plant

Drone in crippled Fukushima nuclear plant

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings unveils to the media in Kashiwa in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Oct. 1, 2025, a drone to be used in the No. 3 reactor at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. TEPCO plans to investigate the No. 3 reactor containment vessel with the drone from November to gather information necessary to remove melted fuel debris.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Lybia

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Lybia

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is welcomed by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi upon his arrival in Tripoli, Libya on July 25, 2007. France and Libya on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to build a Libyan nuclear reactor for water desalination and clinched a raft of other deals. Photo by Christophe Guibbaud/ABACAPRESS.COM

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Lybia

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Lybia

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is welcomed by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi upon his arrival in Tripoli, Libya on July 25, 2007. France and Libya on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to build a Libyan nuclear reactor for water desalination and clinched a raft of other deals. Photo by Christophe Guibbaud/ABACAPRESS.COM

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody Over Campaign Financing

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody Over Campaign Financing

File photo - Libya's President Moammar Gadhafi and his counterpart from France Nicolas Sarkozy listen to national anthems at Bab Azizia Palace in Tripoli, Libya on July 25, 2007. France and Libya on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to build a Libyan nuclear reactor for water desalination and clinched a raft of other deals. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was in police custody on Tuesday morning March 20, 2018, an official in the country’s judiciary said. He was to be questioned as part of an investigation into suspected irregularities over his election campaign financing, the same source added. The probe related to alleged Libyan funding for Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign, Le Monde newspaper reported. Photo by Christophe Guibbaud/ABACAPRESS.COM

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody Over Campaign Financing

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody Over Campaign Financing

File photo - Libya's President Moammar Gadhafi and his counterpart from France Nicolas Sarkozy listen to national anthems at Bab Azizia Palace in Tripoli, Libya on July 25, 2007. France and Libya on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to build a Libyan nuclear reactor for water desalination and clinched a raft of other deals. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was in police custody on Tuesday morning March 20, 2018, an official in the country’s judiciary said. He was to be questioned as part of an investigation into suspected irregularities over his election campaign financing, the same source added. The probe related to alleged Libyan funding for Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign, Le Monde newspaper reported. Photo by Christophe Guibbaud/ABACAPRESS.COM

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Lybia

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Lybia

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is welcomed by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi upon his arrival in Tripoli, Libya on July 25, 2007. France and Libya on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to build a Libyan nuclear reactor for water desalination and clinched a raft of other deals. Photo by Christophe Guibbaud/ABACAPRESS.COM

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Lybia

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Lybia

Lybia's President Colonel Moammar Abu Minyar Gadhafi welcomes french president Nicolas Sarkozy at the 'Bab Azizia' Palace, in Tripoli, Libya, on July 25. France and Libya on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to build a Libyan nuclear reactor for water desalination and clinched a raft of other deals. Photo by Christophe Guibbaud/ABACAPRESS.COM

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody Over Campaign Financing

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody Over Campaign Financing

File photo - French President Nicolas Sarkozy is welcomed by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi upon his arrival in Tripoli, Libya on July 25, 2007. France and Libya on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to build a Libyan nuclear reactor for water desalination and clinched a raft of other deals. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was in police custody on Tuesday morning March 20, 2018, an official in the country’s judiciary said. He was to be questioned as part of an investigation into suspected irregularities over his election campaign financing, the same source added. The probe related to alleged Libyan funding for Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign, Le Monde newspaper reported. Photo by Christophe Guibbaud/ABACAPRESS.COM

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Lybia

French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits Lybia

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is welcomed by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi upon his arrival in Tripoli, Libya on July 25, 2007. France and Libya on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to build a Libyan nuclear reactor for water desalination and clinched a raft of other deals. Photo by Christophe Guibbaud/ABACAPRESS.COM

25th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai

25th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 - A controllable nuclear fusion reactor model captured at The 25th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, China on September 23, 2025.

25th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai

25th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 - A controllable nuclear fusion reactor model captured at The 25th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, China on September 23, 2025.

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

YANTAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 - Large crane lifts the top head of the safety shell of Unit 4 nuclear island at Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Yantai, Shandong, China on September 6, 2025.

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

YANTAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 - Staff monitor the lifting of the top head of the nuclear island containment vessel for Unit 4 at Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Yantai, Shandong, China on September 6, 2025.

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

YANTAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 - Large crane lifts the top head of the safety shell of Unit 4 nuclear island at Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Yantai, Shandong, China on September 6, 2025.

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

YANTAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 - Large crane lifts the top head of the safety shell of Unit 4 nuclear island at Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Yantai, Shandong, China on September 6, 2025.

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

YANTAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 - Large crane lifts the top head of the safety shell of Unit 4 nuclear island at Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Yantai, Shandong, China on September 6, 2025.

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

YANTAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 - Large crane lifts the top head of the safety shell of Unit 4 nuclear island at Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Yantai, Shandong, China on September 6, 2025.

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

The Reactor Building of Unit 4 of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant Capped

YANTAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 - Large crane lifts the top head of the safety shell of Unit 4 nuclear island at Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Yantai, Shandong, China on September 6, 2025.