Japan's nuclear power restart program encountered significant complications this week as Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) was forced to shut down the recently restarted Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 6 after just 29 hours of operation, while regulators announced plans to inspect Chubu Electric Power over suspected safety data manipulation at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant. According to NHK, TEPCO restarted the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Unit 6 reactor in Niigata Prefecture on January 21, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the utility still recovering from the 2011 Fukushima disaster. However, operations came to an abrupt halt when alarm systems activated during control rod withdrawal procedures on January 22 at approximately 12:30 AM. TEPCO initially suspended the operation to investigate the cause, but after determining that identifying the problem would require extensive time, the company decided to completely shut down the reactor shortly after midnight on January 23. TEPCO reported that there was no impact on the reactor's operational status and no external environmental effects from the incident. Nevertheless, the rapid shutdown represents a significant setback for the company's economic recovery plans. As NHK reported on January 21, while the reactor restart provides some financial benefit to TEPCO Holdings, the company continues to face severe financial pressure from the enormous costs associated with the Fukushima accident aftermath. The utility will need to pursue partnerships with other companies and additional reactor restarts to achieve meaningful financial stability. Simultaneously, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) announced plans to conduct on-site inspections of Chubu Electric Power's facilities in Nagoya on January 26, according to NHK. The investigation stems from allegations that the company may have underestimated earthquake assumptions during the safety review process required for restarting the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant in Shizuoka Prefecture. These reviews are mandatory prerequisites before any reactor can receive approval for restart operations. The Hamaoka situation has prompted strong reactions from other prefectural governments hosting nuclear facilities. Shimane Prefecture Governor Maruyama stated that if similar problems were discovered at the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant operated by Chugoku Electric Power Company, he would expect the company president and other executives to resign, according to NHK. This statement, made with the intention of preventing recurrence of such issues, signals growing intolerance among local governments for safety review irregularities. For foreign residents in Japan, these developments highlight ongoing uncertainties in the country's energy policy and nuclear safety oversight. Japan has been gradually restarting nuclear reactors that were taken offline following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, as the government seeks to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and meet climate goals. However, the restart process has been plagued by technical difficulties, regulatory complications, and public skepticism. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the world's largest nuclear power station by capacity, has faced particular scrutiny. TEPCO's operational credibility remains under question more than a decade after Fukushima, and this latest technical failure will likely intensify public concerns about the company's ability to safely operate nuclear facilities. The alleged data manipulation at Hamaoka is particularly serious given that earthquake risk assessment forms the foundation of nuclear safety in seismically active Japan. Any indication that utilities are underestimating seismic threats could undermine public confidence in the entire regulatory framework. Expats living in areas near nuclear facilities should stay informed about restart schedules and safety reviews through local government announcements and NHK's English-language news services. While both incidents reported no environmental impact or safety threats to surrounding communities, they underscore the complex challenges Japan faces in balancing energy security needs with nuclear safety concerns in one of the world's most earthquake-prone nations.