Regarding the Sept. 19 article "Tokyo faced evacuation scenario: Kan": If a similar "accident" occurred in many other countries, Tokyo Electric Power Co. officials would likely face charges of professional negligence in the nation's courts. There seems to be no doubt that these officials were negligent — ignorance or arrogance is no excuse — and as a result of their negligence, hundreds of thousands of people have directly suffered.

It is time that Japan let go of the standard practice of officials bowing with insincere words of apology on television and hold them accountable in the courts. Maybe, then, they would take more care and the people of Japan could live their lives feeling a little more comfortable that a disaster like the one at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant would never happen again.

A slap on the wrist — bowing on TV — is not enough anymore!

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.

fred stone