Hokkaido Governor Approves Restart of Tomari No.3 Reactor

Hokkaido governor Naomichi Suzuki on Wednesday approved the restart of the Tomari No.3 nuclear reactor, a 912 megawatt unit owned by Hokkaido Electric Power that has been offline since 2012 in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. The governor's consent completes the last significant local approval necessary for the restart, setting the stage for the utility to resume operations once a mandated seawall is finished in March 2027 and regulatory clearances are maintained.

The approval comes amid a recalibration of Japan's energy policy as the country grapples with rising electricity demand, concerns about energy security, and commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. National authorities have signaled support for a measured return to nuclear power as a way to ease reliance on imported fossil fuels and to stabilize power markets, particularly during winter peaks and in regions with limited grid interconnections.

Hokkaido Electric has tied the timing of the restart to the construction of a seawall that company engineers and regulators deem necessary to protect critical infrastructure from tsunami risk. Completion of that project in March 2027 is intended to meet post Fukushima safety standards that were tightened across Japan after 2011. The utility must also satisfy the central government and the Nuclear Regulation Authority that all technical and safety conditions are fully addressed before the reactor can resume loading and begin producing electricity.

The Tomari No.3 decision highlights the complex interplay between local consent, prefectural authority, and national energy strategy in Japan. Governors and municipal leaders have emerged as decisive actors in the governance of nuclear facilities, reflecting enduring public sensitivity toward nuclear risk after the Fukushima crisis. For communities on Hokkaido, the restart raises questions about local economic benefits, emergency preparedness, and long term resilience against natural hazards.

Internationally the move will attract attention from neighboring states and global markets. A return to nuclear generation in Japan can reduce pressure on the global LNG market and affect energy prices in Asia. It also engages broader debates about the role of nuclear power in meeting climate goals, with policymakers balancing the low carbon profile of nuclear generation against legacy concerns about radioactive contamination and waste management.

Legal and diplomatic considerations are also in play. International conventions on nuclear safety emphasize transparency and cross border cooperation in the event of transboundary radiological impacts, obliging Japan to maintain stringent oversight and timely communication with neighbors. For the Hokkaido restart to be credible abroad, officials will need to demonstrate that upgrades and emergency arrangements meet both domestic expectations and international best practices.

As Hokkaido Electric proceeds toward the seawall completion and subsequent regulatory checks, the restart of Tomari No.3 will serve as a test case for Japan's ability to reconcile public unease with strategic energy imperatives while holding to rigorous safety standards. The outcome will resonate beyond Japan, informing regional energy dynamics and conversations about the future mix of low carbon power.