How far should gov't responsibility go?

Dossier 4

June 3, 2014

Govt. to review nuclear compensation law

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140603_31.html 

Japan's government will review a law on compensation for accidents at nuclear power plants.

The current law stipulates that power companies in principle bear unlimited responsibility for damage payments in the event of an accident at a nuclear facility.

Critics say the Act on Compensation for Nuclear Damages is not clear about how far the state should get involved in response to a nuclear power accident. They say it also does not spell out the division of responsibility between the government and power companies.

The government plans to set up a panel of senior vice ministers and other officials by mid-June to review the law.
They will study to what degree the government should bear responsibility for compensation as the promoter of nuclear energy.

They will also consider whether Japan should join an international compensation fund for serious nuclear accidents.

Jun. 3, 2014 - Updated 07:23 UTC