Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority approved a preliminary report on Wednesday, clearing the way for the first nuclear reactor restart since 2021.
The approval concerns Hokkaido Electric Power Co.'s Tomari No. 3 reactor, which has been deemed to meet post-Fukushima safety standards.
Hokkaido Electric's president anticipates the unit will restart in 2027, boosting Japan's power generation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.