Fukushima bosses admit a cover-up

The firm that ran the Fukushima nuclear plant has apologised for its “cover-up” when it delayed disclosure of meltdowns at three reactors.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) president Naomi Hirose’s apology followed the revelation last week that an investigation had found his predecessor instructed officials during the 2011 disaster to avoid using the word “meltdown”.

“I would say it was a cover-up,” Mr Hirose told a news conference. “It’s extremely regrettable.”

TEPCO instead described the reactors’ condition as less serious “core damage” for two months after the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, wrecked the plant, even though utility officials knew meltdowns had occurred.

A report by three company-appointed lawyers said TEPCO’s then-president, Masataka Shimizu, instructed officials to use the milder description, allegedly under pressure from the prime minister’s office.

TEPCO was accused of softening its language to cover up the seriousness of the disaster, but the investigation found its delayed acknowledgement did not break any law.

Mr Hirose said he will take a 10% pay cut, and another executive will take a 30% cut, for one month each to take responsibility.