Fukushima disaster

Japan has restarted a reactor at the world's largest nuclear plant to address electricity demands amid a global oil crisis, but this highlights the country's shortage of storage space for spent nuclear fuel and lack of a permanent disposal plan. Cooling pools at key plants, including Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, are nearing capacity, and a proposed storage site on Minamitorishima faces skepticism. Recycling efforts for spent fuel have stalled, exacerbating concerns over growing radioactive waste.

Japan has restarted the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station to address electricity demands amid a global oil crisis, but the move highlights Japan's lack of a viable plan for permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Cooling pools at 17 nuclear plants are nearing 80% storage capacity, and a stalled fuel recycling plan exacerbates concerns as reactors risk closure when storage runs out.