Short-Lived Restart: A Japanese nuclear reactor at the Onagawa plant, restarted on October 29th after 13 years of shutdown, was shut down again on November 4th due to an equipment malfunction.
Technical Glitch: The shutdown was caused by a problem with a device related to neutron data inside the reactor.
Safety Concerns: Despite no radiation release, the operator, Tohoku Electric Power Co., decided to shut down the reactor to re-examine the equipment and address public safety concerns.
Post-Fukushima Restart: The Onagawa plant, located 100 km north of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, survived the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. This reactor was among the few being restarted after the Fukushima disaster prompted safety checks and upgrades across Japan.
Energy Security Goals: Japan is promoting nuclear energy to ensure a stable energy supply and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Public Anxiety: The recent earthquake in the Noto Peninsula in January 2024, which caused damage to nearby nuclear facilities, has heightened public anxiety about the safety of nuclear power plants.
No Restart Date: Tohoku Electric has not yet announced a new date for restarting the Onagawa No. 2 reactor.