Will do better next time

June 21, 2012

Nuclear agency to review PR procedures on troubles

      http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120621_15.html

Japan's nuclear safety officials will boost their public relations efforts after criticism they were slow to reveal problems at the Ohi nuclear power plant in central Japan.

Officials from the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said on Thursday they will quickly disclose even minor irregularities.

Both the nuclear regulator and the operator of the Ohi plant were criticized for delaying their disclosure of problems at one reactor on Tuesday. The plant is run by Kansai Electric Power Company.

The trouble was disclosed about 13 hours after an alarm sounded, indicating the water level had fallen in a tank used to cool an electric power generator at the No.3 reactor.

The agency later apologized for the delay, but is facing mounting criticism from local municipalities and residents.

The officials said they will more quickly inform the central government or municipalities of problems, including minor issues they are not legally obliged to disclose.
The agency will dispatch senior officials to the offsite emergency response center of the plant for a limited time.

Public relations for the Ohi plant will be handled jointly by the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, Kansai Electric Power Company, and Fukui Prefecture, where the plant is located.

Preparations to resume operations began last Saturday at the plant's No. 3 reactor. The Ohi plant, which has been suspended for regular inspections, will be the first to go back online since the last of Japan's reactors was shut down in May, amid the ongoing nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.

Japan's nuclear safety officials will boost their public relations efforts after criticism they were slow to reveal problems at the Ohi nuclear power plant in central Japan.

Officials from the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said on Thursday they will quickly disclose even minor irregularities.

Both the nuclear regulator and the operator of the Ohi plant were criticized for delaying their disclosure of problems at one reactor on Tuesday. The plant is run by Kansai Electric Power Company.

The trouble was disclosed about 13 hours after an alarm sounded, indicating the water level had fallen in a tank used to cool an electric power generator at the No.3 reactor.

The agency later apologized for the delay, but is facing mounting criticism from local municipalities and residents.

The officials said they will more quickly inform the central government or municipalities of problems, including minor issues they are not legally obliged to disclose.

The agency will dispatch senior officials to the offsite emergency response center of the plant for a limited time.

Public relations for the Ohi plant will be handled jointly by the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, Kansai Electric Power Company, and Fukui Prefecture, where the plant is located.

Preparations to resume operations began last Saturday at the plant's No. 3 reactor. The Ohi plant, which has been suspended for regular inspections, will be the first to go back online since the last of Japan's reactors was shut down in May, amid the ongoing nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.