Tokyo: Japan is preparing to restart the world's largest nuclear power plant, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility in central Niigata prefecture. This development marks a significant step as the plant has remained inactive since 2012, following the Fukushima disaster.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Niigata Governor, Hideyo Hanazumi, is anticipated to approve the reopening of Tokyo Electric Power's nuclear plant by Friday. This approval would be the first substantial move towards reactivating the plant after more than a decade of dormancy. The plant's 8.2-gigawatt capacity, spread across its seven reactors, makes it the largest of its kind globally.

Governor Hanazumi has expressed his intention to publicly endorse the plant's restart imminently. His support is contingent upon a consultation with the prefectural assembly, set to commence its monthly session on December 2. Should the assembly give its nod, the prefecture will notify the Tokyo government, signifying the completion of local procedural requirements.

Hanazumi has indicated that his decision on the reactivation will be based on the data accumulated so far. Earlier in February, a report by the prefecture's technical committee confirmed that the plant met all safety criteria, detecting no issues in its compliance with the prescribed safety checklist.

Currently, only one reactor, unit number 6, is prepared for restart, with nuclear fuel already installed. If all processes proceed without hindrance, the reactor could be operational by the end of March next year.