The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency leaked the name of the whistle-blower at Tokyo Electric Power Co. long before the utility's nuclear coverup scandal came to light, according to informed sources.
The agency, an affiliate of the Ministry of Economic, Trade and Industry, gave the name of the informant, who was an employee of General Electric International Inc., to Tepco in late 2000, the sources said. GEII was in charge of inspecting Tepco's facilities.
The leak is a violation of government policy on concealing informants' identities, the sources said.