· 2 min read
🗞️ Driving the news: Japan’s Onagawa No. 2 nuclear reactor, which survived the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Fukushima, has been restarted after extensive safety upgrades
• This restart aligns with Japan's goal to enhance nuclear energy for stability and carbon reduction
🔭 The context: Onagawa, located 100 km from Fukushima, withstood a 13-meter tsunami in 2011 and successfully shut down its reactors
• Since the Fukushima disaster, Japan’s nuclear plants underwent rigorous safety enhancements; Onagawa No. 2 is the first of the same reactor type to restart after Fukushima.
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Japan’s return to nuclear energy supports its 2050 carbon-neutrality target and offers a low-emission energy alternative, though safety concerns remain high given recent seismic events
⏭️ What's next: The reactor will begin generating power in November, and Japan's government aims to expedite further nuclear restarts, enhance safety, and invest in next-gen reactors
💬 One quote: “Nuclear energy, along with renewables, is an important power source for decarbonization” — Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi
📈 One stat: 13 of Japan's 33 operational reactors have been restarted under post-Fukushima safety standards
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