Seven nuke utilities told to conduct new checks (Japan)

[jpak]

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070421a1.html

The government ordered four power utilities Friday to conduct additional checks, along with regular inspections, on seven nuclear plants in order to prevent further data falsifications and reactor defect and accident coverups in an industry that has been plagued with such misdeeds.

Observers, however, see this administrative "punishment" as limp-wristed and indicative of the ministry giving the utilities special consideration.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry did not order any of the utilities' nuclear power plants shut down, saying that their latest inspections show they are safe.

The order was part of a 30-point set of measures the ministry released the same day to ensure the nation's nuclear plants are safe and to rebuild public trust in atomic power after past accidents and coverups and recent revelations by two utilities that they concealed criticality accidents and other utilities came clean on defect coverups.

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edit:

Plants committed 50 'malicious' violations

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200704210087.html

The industry ministry confirmed Friday that operators of nuclear and other power plants committed at least 50 "malicious" violations of laws and regulations, including cover-ups and data falsification.

The worst case, according to the ministry, was Hokuriku Electric Power Co.'s cover-up of a June 1999 criticality accident at the Shika Nuclear Power Plant in Ishikawa Prefecture.

But the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry stopped short of issuing suspension orders to the offending companies.

Instead, the ministry will issue administrative orders requiring Hokuriku Electric Power, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), Chugoku Electric Power Co. and Japan Atomic Power Co. to report serious incidents to their presidents and authorities.

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