Regarding the Aug. 25 article "Tepco's tank leaks blamed on seals, reassembly": It doesn't really look as though Tokyo Electric Power Co. is paying proper attention to the finer details of their recovery work at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. How could 300 tons of water — close to 300 cu. meters — leak away and not be noticed?
I must admit that using tanks made with rubber seals between the plates is curiously novel for such an important requirement as containing highly radioactive water, especially since they had been dismantled and reinstalled at a different location — with, for goodness sake, the same rubber seals?
I won't get any answer, of course, but are there any really professional engineers in Tepco? I rather agree with the comment in the article that "calls are growing for outside experts to step in and take control of the operation," regardless of the expense.
Why, of all countries, does Japan have to be so unconcerned about the appalling effect it is having on the credibility of the nuclear power industry across the world? Is there no longer any pride in achieving and maintaining credibility internationally?
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.