Backlash from evacuees - TEPCO apologizes

June 29, 2012

TEPCO execs get tongue thrashing on visit to nuke disaster evacuees

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20120629p2a00m0na008000c.html

KAZO, Saitama -- Top executives of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) apologized on June 29 to some 150 residents evacuated here from the no-go zone around the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.

TEPCO Chairman Kazuhiko Shimokobe and President Naomi Hirose visited an evacuation shelter in Kazo, Saitama Prefecture, where the Fukushima Prefecture town of Futaba has moved its office functions following the nuclear meltdowns.

After making their apology, the executives were met with a strong backlash from evacuees in the former high school gymnasium-turned-shelter.

"I want you to live here with us, starting today. You should move into action only after learning the mental conditions we've been living under here," said a male resident evacuated from Futaba. Other evacuees also heaped criticism on and expressed dissatisfaction with the utility over the nuclear crisis.

Prior to the meeting, Shimokobe and Hirose met Futaba Mayor Katsutaka Idogawa.

"We sincerely apologize for having you lead a very inconvenient life here. Our renewed apology will mark the start of a new TEPCO," the executives said.

"Many of our townspeople are exhausted and spending their time here hopelessly every day. They are full of distrust (for TEPCO), and we want you to take firm responsibility for compensation," said Mayor Idogawa.

In reply, TEPCO President Hirose said, "We're really sorry for the fact that the reparation issue hasn't made progress. We'll strive to improve the situation if only a little at a time."

The TEPCO executives had earlier visited Fukushima Prefecture on June 28, where they met Gov. Yuhei Sato. They will also visit 13 municipalities around the troubled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, including the town of Futaba, between June 29 and July 3.