Collusion still, between Japanese government and nuclear industry

The collusive ties between government and industry were what undermined nuclear safety regulations. One would think that given the nuclear disaster, the practice of “amakudari” (literally “coming down from the heavens”), in which retiring bureaucrats acquire jobs in the industries that they formerly regulated, would have diminished, but that hasn’t been the case…..

Noda must make promoters of nuclear power take responsibility for disaster, Mainichi Daily News, By Takao Yamada, 26 Sept 11, “……..there’s something I want to ask Noda, and that is this: Haven’t you forgotten one very crucial issue? The big question that was on everyone’s minds just six months ago? That is, to clarify what responsibility the main promoters of nuclear power — also known as Japan’s “nuclear village” spanning industry, government and academia — have over the still ongoing disaster?

Sure, three Japanese bureaucrats who promoted nuclear power — the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s (METI) administrative vice minister, the head of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, and the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency chief — were sacked. But legally speaking, they were not issued disciplinary dismissals, but rather were “recommended” to leave their jobs. They were offered a more favorable retirement package, i.e. an additional 20 million yen, if they resigned then and not later, totaling upwards of around 80 million yen in severance pay…..

The nuclear village has been the darling of Japan’s post-war era, so reforms won’t happen overnight……

According to Mainichi reports, as of the end of August, at least 50 former bureaucrats held positions at Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the operator of the troubled Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant. That number is unlikely to increase for the time being, but there are no signs that the cozy arrangements will change, either. The government is basically trying to appease us through the removal of a few METI officials and by setting up a new nuclear safety agency manned by personnel that lack qualifications.

That isn’t acceptable. From what we’ve seen of the nuclear village, what we need is a fundamental reform of the civil service system, a radical one that places capable private citizens and politicians at the helm of important bureaus within the various ministries…..

Is Noda just one of those public speaking puppets whose scripts are subordinate to their posts?…

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/perspectives/news/20110926p2a00m0na002000c.html

September 27, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, secrets,lies and civil liberties

1 Comment »

You have great articles to read.

Comment by Dedicated to the Mystery Surrounding the 2 Tsunami Dogs | September 29, 2011 | Reply

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