Two top execs at scandal-hit nuclear plant operator resign
Japan is moving to revive nuclear power 15 years after an enormous earthquake and tsunami sent reactors at the Fukushima atomic plant into meltdown in 2011.
Two top executives at Japan's Chubu Electric Power Co stepped down on Monday following a scandal involving the tampering of earthquake data at a nuclear plant. The firm announced it will abandon plans to restart two reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear plant, which is located in an area prone to megaquakes. President Kingo Hayashi and Chairman Satoru Katsuno resigned, with Hayashi expressing remorse and regret over the company's inability to foster a safety-focused culture.
An independent report found that management's reprimand for delays in the restart review contributed to the misconduct. Japan has been working to revive nuclear power after a major earthquake and tsunami in 2011 led to a meltdown at the Fukushima plant. The company had previously submitted data to regulators that underestimated earthquake risks and was under regulatory safety checks.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority had received a whistleblower's report of potential data fraud in February 2023 and suspended its safety review process for the Hamaoka plant in late December 2023.
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