{
  "id": 7252697,
  "title": "Chubu Electric Execs Rapped Officials over N-Plant Screening Delay",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/chubu-electric-execs-rapped-officials-over-n-plant-screening-delay",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T05:47:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nippon.com News",
    "slug": "nippon-com-news",
    "url": "https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2026091400117/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tokyo, September 14 - Chubu Electric Power Co. executives have rebuked engineering division officials for delays in the regulatory screening process for the Hamaoka nuclear power plant, according to a report released by the company on Monday. The report, penned by an investigative committee of outside lawyers, suggests that certain Chubu Electric departments may have underestimated the potential earthquake vibrations in the data provided for the screening, which is necessary for the restart of the plant's Hamaoka No. 3 and No. 4 reactors. It also notes that the criticism may have led to misconduct within related departments.\n\nMoreover, the committee discovered that Chubu Electric chairman Satoru Katsuno, who was also the president at the time, was made aware of the decision not to respond to a whistleblower who raised concerns internally in 2019. While the report acknowledges that Katsuno was not fully aware he had approved the decision, it asserts that he should have exercised greater caution in his judgment.\n\nOn Monday, Chubu Electric announced it would withdraw its applications for the screening of both reactors. The company also revealed that Katsuno and current President Kingo Hayashi will be resigning their positions.",
  "summary": "Tokyo, Sept. 14 (Jiji Press)--Chubu Electric Power Co. executives had criticized engineering division officials over a delay in regulatory screening of its Hamaoka nuclear power plant in central Japan, according to a report released by the company Monday. Some Chubu Electric departments are suspected of underestimating possible earthquake vibrations in data submitted for the regulatory scre...",
  "key_points": [
    "Chubu Electric executives criticize engineering officials for Hamaoka plant screening delays.",
    "Whistleblower concerns raised in 2019, but ignored by chairman Satoru Katsuno.",
    "Katsuno and President Kingo Hayashi resign after announcing application withdrawal."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}