TEPCO Delays Nuclear Plant Restart After Alarm Issue

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has postponed the restart of its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant by a few days. The restart was earlier scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026, but was delayed after a fault was found in an alarm system, according to public broadcaster NHK.

TEPCO said the decision was taken to ensure safety. Engineers are checking the alarm problem and reviewing all systems to make sure the plant is ready to operate safely.

The restart is important because it would be the first time TEPCO restarts a nuclear reactor since the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in 2011, when a powerful earthquake and tsunami badly damaged the plant.

The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility is one of the largest nuclear power plants in the world. Because of public concern over nuclear safety after Fukushima, any restart requires strict inspections and official approvals.

TEPCO said it will announce a new date for the restart once all safety checks are completed.