New report by TEPCO on the causes of the nuclear disaster

TEPCO preparing new report on Fukushima

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131106_27.html

The head of Tokyo Electric Power Company says the utility is preparing a new report on what caused the crisis at its Fukushima plant.

The step is seen as part of the company's efforts to gain understanding for restarting 2 reactors in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan.

TEPCO President Naomi Hirose told a Lower House panel on Wednesday that the company plans to shortly release its findings on Fukushima.

Hirose said TEPCO has continued to examine the cause of the March 2011 disaster through an expert panel. Members include US and British nuclear power experts.

The new report follows one released in June 2012 on the results of the company's own investigations. But the first report left many questions unanswered.

Hirose said TEPCO will also present the report to Niigata Prefecture for review.

A prefectural technical panel is examining safety features of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, where the utility hopes to restart 2 reactors.

TEPCO apparently decided a further probe into Fukushima was needed to gain the prefecture's approval.