Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is considering the partial decommissioning of its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, as per recent reports. The proposed move is part of TEPCO's attempt to gain acceptance from local officials and residents for restarting other reactors at the same facility. The exact timeline and details are yet to be disclosed.

In Japan, public opinion has leaned towards phasing out nuclear power since the Fukushima disaster in 2011. The dilemma of safe energy sources and the cost of decommissioning nuclear power plants weighs heavily on the Japanese population. Initiatives by companies such as TEPCO are viewed as attempts to quell public fears and regain trust.

In the US and EU, while nuclear power is a valued alternative to fossil fuels, their stance is shifting towards renewable solar and wind energy. The decommissioning of a nuclear plant is a lengthy and costly process, requiring extensive clean-up and waste management, much like in Japan.