National News Japan scrutinizes nuclear safety after deadly accident at Mihama Plant

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The Japanese government deepened its investigation Aug. 11 into a deadly nuclear power plant accident amid calls for an overhaul of safety standards at reactors.

OBATA, Fukui Pref. — Kansai Electric Power Co. President Yosaku Fuji apologizes Aug. 10 to the father of Hiroya Takatori, one of four workers who died Aug. 9 in an accident at a nuclear plant.

The company is being investigated on suspicion of negligence after announcing Aug. 10 that the cooling pipe that caused the accident had not been properly checked, despite a warning of danger from inspectors last year.

The pipe exploded Aug. 9, spewing boiling water and superheated steam on workers. Four workers were burned to death, and seven others were injured, two seriously.

The accident, the deadliest ever at a Japanese nuclear plant, triggered calls for tighter safety measures.

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency ordered Kansai Electric and four other utility companies with similar plants to review inspection records and check for the possibility of erosion in cooling pipes.

Seishiro Nukaga, a senior ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker who is heading the party's nuclear committee, urged nuclear plants nationwide to re-inspect their facilities.

Though there was no radiation leak in Mihama, the accident rekindled concerns about the safety of the country's 52 reactors. It also raised questions about plans to build 11 reactors by 2010.

Proponents say nuclear power eases Japan's dependence on foreign oil, more than 80 percent of which comes from the Middle East. They say nuclear energy is also better for the environment because it does not emit greenhouse gases.

Detractors say this offers little comfort to worried citizens. (AP)

美浜原発事故で死者

福井県の美浜原発で11人が死傷した事件で、経済産業省原子力安全・保安院が11日、現場の徹底調査を行なった。

Shukan ST: Aug. 20, 2004

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