Hiroshima Court Rejects Bid to Halt Ikata Nuclear Plant, Ending Long Legal Battle

A Long Legal Battle Ends in Hiroshima

On March 5th, the Hiroshima District Court delivered a verdict in a long-standing legal battle over the Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime Prefecture. The court rejected the plaintiffs' request to halt operations at the plant, bringing an end to a nine-year lawsuit.

The case was brought by 337 plaintiffs, including survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima. They argued that a serious accident at the Ikata plant, located about 100 kilometers north of Hiroshima, could release radioactive materials into the Seto Inland Sea, posing a significant threat to the region.

The lawsuit, filed in March 2016, centered on concerns about the plant's vulnerability to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Kyushu. During the trial, atomic bomb survivors shared their harrowing experiences, highlighting the devastating consequences of nuclear disasters.

Despite their efforts, the court ultimately sided with the power company, Shikoku Electric Power Co. The Ikata plant, which began operations in 1977, continues to operate with only its No. 3 reactor active. The other two reactors are undergoing decommissioning.

This case is not an isolated one. Similar lawsuits seeking to halt operations at nuclear power plants have been filed in other district courts in the region. In March 2024, the Oita District Court rejected a similar request, with the plaintiffs appealing to the Fukuoka High Court. The fight against nuclear power continues, with communities across Japan grappling with the risks and potential consequences of this energy source.