Hokkaido gov't tied to public opinion manipulation on pluthermal nuke reactor: panel

[kristopher]

Hokkaido gov't tied to public opinion manipulation on pluthermal nuke reactor: panel

The Hokkaido Prefectural Government was involved in attempts to manipulate public opinion in favor of an experimental pluthermal nuclear reactor project, a prefecture-appointed panel stated on Nov. 23.

In a report submitted to Hokkaido Gov. Harumi Takahashi, the third-party investigative panel said, "The then chief of the (Hokkaido Prefectural Government's) nuclear power safety section asked for the presentation of opinions in favor of the project" at the No. 3 reactor of the Tomari nuclear plant operated by Hokkaido Electric Power Co. The panel also stated, however, that "it is difficult to conclude the prefecture was systematically involved."

According to the report, Satoru Murai -- then the chief of Hokkaido's nuclear power safety section -- told a meeting with Hokkaido Electric officials on July 8, 2008, "All the opinions presented by the people of Hokkaido are against the project. We want to have opinions in favor of the project." His remarks were taken to mean he had asked the utility to help solicit opinions in favor of the project.

Murai partially denied the allegations, saying he had no intention of asking for opinions in support of the project. According to the notes taken at the meeting by a Hokkaido Electric staffer, however, Murai said, "As it stands now, all opinions presented are against the project. We want to have opinions supporting the project." The investigative panel therefor "recognized that the remarks are true."

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20111124p2a00m0na012000c.html

Good thing we don't have the nuclear industry and government using astroturf tactics to spread propaganda about nuclear power here, isn't it?