Key Facts
• Tokai Village mayoral election announced on September 2, 2025.
• Tokai Village hosts Japan’s only commercial reactor in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
• Tokai Daini Nuclear Power Plant has been idle since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
• Incumbent mayor Shu Yamada (64) supports reactor restart, citing necessity.
• Two challengers, Akifumi Daimyo (69) and Kana Nemoto (34), oppose or seek public vote.
• Yamada shifted from neutrality to pro-restart in June 2025.
• Safety upgrades for Tokai Daini expected to complete by December 2026.
• Pro-restart group dominates Tokai Village council with 12 of 18 seats.
• Daimyo criticizes Yamada for prioritizing restart without public trust.
• Nemoto supports restart but advocates for a resident referendum.
• Election outcome could influence future nuclear energy policies.
Summary
The mayoral election in Tokai Village, home to Japan’s only commercial nuclear reactor in the Tokyo metropolitan area, has sparked debate over the restart of the Tokai Daini Nuclear Power Plant. Incumbent mayor Shu Yamada, seeking a fourth term, supports the restart, citing safety upgrades and national energy policy shifts. His challengers, Akifumi Daimyo and Kana Nemoto, oppose or conditionally support the restart, emphasizing public trust and dialogue. The election, influenced by a pro-restart majority in the village council, is seen as a critical moment for the future of nuclear energy in the region.
