Kansai Electric plans a new reactor survey at Mihama, marking a major step toward reviving nuclear energy in Japan since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. On Tuesday, the company announced it will begin geological studies at its Mihama plant in Fukui Prefecture.
Currently, only the No. 3 reactor operates at the site. Kansai Electric will decommission Units 1 and 2. If approved, this would become Japan’s first new reactor project since Hokkaido Electric’s No. 3 Tomari reactor started operating in 2009.
Kansai Electric President Nozomu Mori stressed the need for public engagement. “We will seek local cooperation through careful explanations,” he said in Osaka.
Kansai Electric plans the survey while coordinating closely with the Fukui prefectural office. During a visit, Vice Governor Yasuhiro Nakamura urged the company to clearly explain its plans to residents.
While some locals welcomed the decision, others raised concerns. Mihama town officials called for swift construction. However, critics expressed worry over unresolved nuclear waste issues.
Construction executive Yuki Sakimoto, although not involved in nuclear projects, voiced support. “Without the plant, our town’s economy would collapse,” he said. “We benefit from infrastructure upgrades.”
In contrast, assembly member Takeshi Komoto disagreed. “It’s unthinkable to build a new reactor without solving nuclear waste storage,” he warned.
The project revives a plan Kansai Electric introduced in 2010 to replace aging reactors at Mihama. However, the 2011 earthquake and tsunami forced the company to halt the plan.
Public trust in nuclear energy plummeted after the Fukushima disaster. Since then, government officials have repeatedly claimed they had no intention of building or replacing reactors.
Now, rising electricity demand has reignited discussions on nuclear expansion. Government officials and utility executives are exploring ways to ensure a stable power supply.
Kansai Electric plans the new reactor survey as Japan revises its national energy policy. The updated February strategy reintroduces nuclear power as a core energy source.
Due to post-Fukushima safety regulations, Kansai Electric must restart its site analysis from scratch. If it passes inspections, the company will draft a basic reactor design and seek regulatory approval.
Japan’s government now supports replacing outdated reactors with next-generation models. These new designs aim to withstand both natural disasters and terrorist threats.
Kansai Electric is working with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and other partners to develop an advanced light-water reactor. The model features improved resilience and modern safety systems.
This proposed reactor at Mihama could reshape Japan’s energy future. If successful, it may pave the way for additional nuclear projects across the country.
As Japan attempts to balance power reliability and safety, Mihama may serve as a proving ground for the country’s nuclear revival.
