Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), has announced the postponement of operations at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant until March 18th. This news follows rigorous safety checks and assessments carried out by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority. The decision for the delay has been made to ensure the continuity of safe and reliable service for all nearby residents and TEPCO customers.

Post-Fukushima, safety surrounding nuclear power plants became a paramount concern for Japanese society. The public demands thorough and comprehensive checks to ensure the safety standards are fully met before restarting operations of any nuclear facilities. Legal measures have been strengthened since the disaster to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants and the well-being of the public.

In the US or EU, similar safety standards are also implemented for nuclear power plants as public safety is a vital concern. However, the timeliness and communication around such adjustments might vary. As nuclear power forms a significant part of the power mix in many countries, such delays are generally seen as a price worth paying for increased safety.