Japan Edges Closer to Restarting Biggest Nuclear Power Plant

Japan is edging closer to approving the restart of the world's largest nuclear power plant - the first time it would be operated since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

Hideyo Hanazumi, governor of the Niigata region where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant is located, said he has given the green light for the partial restart.

The plan to resume operations at the facility, operated by utility company Tepco, still needs approval from the prefecture's government assembly and Japan's nuclear regulator before it can proceed.

If approved, it would be the first time Tepco would be allowed to recommence nuclear reactor operations in Japan since its Fukushima plant went into meltdown following a tsunami.

Residents in Niigata are divided over whether the plant should be restarted or not.

Hanazumi told a news conference on Friday that his decision would be discussed in December at a prefectural government assembly, where he would seek the assembly's approval.

Japan had ordered all its nuclear power plant reactors to be shut down in 2011 following the Fukushima meltdown, which was caused by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and massive tsunami. The disaster forced 150,000 people to be evacuated from the area.

Since then, 14 reactors have resumed operations.

- Author: Alys Davies, BBC