NRA: Concentrate on Fukushima

 March 20, 2014

NRA urges TEPCO to focus on Fukushima Daiichi

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140321_01.html 

Japan's nuclear regulator has urged the operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant to focus on decommissioning work. This follows a series of problems in handling contaminated water at the facility.

Tokyo Electric Power Company executives on Tuesday briefed Nuclear Regulation Authority commissioners on work at the plant.

More than 100 tons of contaminated water leaked from one of the storage tanks. A malfunction in a water filtering system caused highly radioactive water to flow into treated water tanks.

NRA Commissioner Toyoshi Fuketa said the troubles could have been prevented.

He called on TEPCO to place top priority on decommissioning reactors and dealing with radioactive water. He urged the company not to try and save money when dealing with safety measures at the plant.

NRA Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said TEPCO should improve working conditions to ensure the safety of, and maintain morale among, more than 4,000 workers at the plant.

TEPCO President Naomi Hirose said he will work hard as a top executive to restart the water treatment system and reduce tainted water.

Mar. 20, 2014 - Updated 17:45 UTC

March 20, 2014