TEPCO has a new chairman

January 7, 2013

Abe meets next TEPCO chairman

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140107_41.html

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has asked the next chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Company to make the most of its ability and resources to handle the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

Abe met Fumio Sudo, who was chosen on Tuesday to be TEPCO's chairman from April.

Abe said all TEPCO workers should take to heart the fact that the utility exists to pay compensation to those affected by the accident, to decommission reactors at the plant, and to supply power in a stable way.

He asked Sudo to introduce competitive management methods and not be complacent about the status of a local monopoly like before.
Sudo told reporters after the meeting that the biggest problem with TEPCO's management is that it lacks the idea of global competition.

He said Japan's power rates are more than double those in the United States and South Korea, and that this should be changed by all means.

Jan. 7, 2014 - Updated 10:33 UTC

TEPCO new chairman chosen

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140107_35.html 

The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is getting a new chairman. The board of directors at Tokyo Electric Power Company has chosen an outside director Fumio Sudo for the top post.

Sudo will replace the current chairman Kazuhiko Shimokobe. Shimokobe expressed his intention to step down last month after the utility submitted a new business plan to the government.

Sudo joined Kawasaki Steel in 1964. In 2005, he became president of JFE Holdings, which was set up through Kawasaki's merger with another steelmaker, NKK. He has been an outside director for TEPCO since 2012.

In drafting the company's business plan, Sudo proposed steps to streamline operations and boost profits.

He also requested that the government shoulder part of the cost for decontamination at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

Sudo will officially assume the post on April 1st.

Jan. 7, 2014 - Updated 07:57 UTC