nuclear-news

Japanese nuclear regulator’s deceptive role in promoting nuclear power

UPDATE: Japan’s Nuclear Regulator Admits It Tried To Sway Public Opinion On Nuclear Plants By Kosaku Narioka and Toko Sekiguchi, Dow Jones Newswires;  JULY 29, 2011,

— Japan’s nuclear regulator behind efforts to falsely suggest public support for nuclear power

— At least two utilities say they were asked to take part in secret efforts

— Admission comes as government releases energy strategy that reduces dependence on nuclear power

— PM Kan says that scandal brings into question the agency’s very existence

TOKYO (Dow Jones)--The Japanese government disclosed Friday that its primary nuclear regulator tried to manipulate public opinion at public forums around the country to promote nuclear power, findings that further damage the industry's already tattered reputation.

The announcement came as Prime Minister Naoto Kan released an energy strategy framework that seeks to reduce the dependence on nuclear power following the country’s worst-ever nuclear accident at the quake-hit Fukushima Daiichi plant in northern Japan.

“The scandal, if true, is a grave problem that questions the very existence of the Nuclear Industry Safety Agency,” Kan said at a press conference on the energy strategy.

Earlier Friday, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda released results of a survey of the seven utilities that had public forums on nuclear issues over the past five years.

It found one utility, Chubu Electric Power Co. (9502.TO) in central Japan, said it had been asked by NISA to bring people to a public symposium in 2007 and to give them supportive questions they could ask. ….
UPDATE: Japan’s Nuclear Regulator Admits It Tried To Sway Public Opinion On Nuclear Plants – WSJ.com

July 30, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, secrets,lies and civil liberties