Tepco admits it could have prevented meltdowns

Published on 13/10/2012 00:00

The utility behind Japan’s nuclear disaster acknowledged for the first time yesterday that it could have avoided the crisis.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) said it had known safety improvements were needed before last year’s tsunami triggered three meltdowns, but it had feared the political, economic and legal consequences of implementing them.

“When looking back on the accident, the problem was that preparations were not made in advance,” a statement by Tepco’s internal reform task force, led by company president Naomi Hirose, said. “Could necessary measures have been taken with previous tsunami evaluations? It was possible to take action.”

The statement said Tepco had feared efforts to better protect nuclear facilities from severe accidents such as tsunamis would trigger anti-nuclear sentiment, interfere with operations or increase the risk of litigation.

The company said it could have mitigated the impact of the accident if it had more closely adhered to international standards, and had given staff training in practical crisis management.

Tepco had previously defended its preparedness and crisis management after the March 2011 tsunami knocked out power to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, leading to the series of meltdowns.