Key Facts
• On October 7, Kashiwazaki Mayor Masahiro Sakurai criticized national and prefectural responses.
• The mayor rated the responses as ‘failing grade’ and ‘failing grade plus 5 points.’
• The issue revolves around defining ‘local consent’ for the plant’s restart.
• In July, the mayor sent a formal inquiry to clarify which municipalities are considered ‘local.’
• Both national and prefectural responses avoided defining ‘local.’
• The mayor highlighted Kashiwazaki and Kariwa Village as the core ‘local’ areas.
• Governor Hideyo Hanakaku plans to make a final decision after November 2025.
• A public survey showed divided opinions on restarting the plant, even with safety measures.
• The mayor emphasized 56 years of intense local debate since the plant’s 1969 invitation.
• Sakurai noted the difficulty of the governor’s upcoming decision.
Summary
Kashiwazaki Mayor Masahiro Sakurai has criticized the national and Niigata prefectural governments for their vague responses regarding the definition of ‘local consent’ required for restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant. Despite a formal inquiry in July, neither response clarified which municipalities are considered ‘local.’ Sakurai, emphasizing the historical significance of Kashiwazaki and Kariwa Village in the plant’s operations, rated the responses as ‘failing grade’ and ‘failing grade plus 5 points.’ Governor Hideyo Hanakaku is expected to make a final decision after November 2025, amid divided public opinion on the plant’s restart. The mayor acknowledged the complexity of the decision, given the 56 years of local debate surrounding the plant.
