Chubu Electric given business improvement order over data scandal

The industry ministry in Japan has issued a business improvement order to Chubu Electric Power over a data manipulation scandal involving the improper selection of earthquake data for safety screenings for the restart of reactors at its nuclear power plant in Shizuoka Prefecture. This is the fourth time a major electric utility has received such an order under the electricity business law.

The ministry called on Chubu Electric to submit an improvement plan by the end of the month, requesting that the company clarify the responsibilities of its executives and employees. The scandal, which also includes improper claims for the decommissioning of the Hamaoka nuclear power plant's reactors and overcharging customers for electricity, has led the ministry to conclude that Chubu Electric lacks sufficient awareness of legal compliance and has an unhealthy corporate culture.

Brief written by urgent.news from Japan Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.