14 Juin 2014
June 13, 2014
New NRA member rejects criticism
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140613_30.html
A new member of Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has rejected criticism that his ties with the nuclear industry may compromise the watchdog's independence.
University of Tokyo Professor Satoru Tanaka met reporters on Friday. The Diet had approved his nomination two days before.
Tanaka said he has been involved in nuclear energy-related education and research and wants to make the most of his experience when he becomes an NRA commissioner. He also said he fully recognizes that the authority should be independent.
Tanaka said the Fukushima nuclear accident greatly affected people and the environment and should not have happened.
He expressed hope that the authority will draw up regulations by incorporating findings of an investigation into what caused the accident.
Tanaka said he will make judgments while keeping in mind that human knowledge has limits and nuclear energy will always have risks.
Tanaka and another university professor, Akira Ishiwatari, are to replace two of the NRA's five commissioners in September. Ishiwatari is a professor at Tohoku University and a geologist.
Lawmakers said Tanaka should be disqualified because he was a member of an industry lobby, the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, for two years until June 2012.
Guidelines created by the previous Democrat-led government say people who belonged to industry groups in the past three years cannot become commissioners.
Officials of the government say it did not apply the guidelines when nominating Tanaka.
Jun. 13, 2014 - Updated 08:09 UTC