Industry minister Takeo Hiranuma on Friday reprimanded the chief of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency and five other officials after the agency admitted it leaked to Tokyo Electric Power Co. the identity of a Tepco-related worker who blew the whistle on the company's coverups of nuclear plant faults.
Hiranuma also said he will return one-fifth of his monthly salary for two months to take the blame for the agency having failed to disclose the scandal for more than two years.
Yoshihiko Sasaki, the agency chief, was reprimanded under the National Public Service Law and has offered to return 10 percent of one month's salary. The other four agency and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry officials received lighter admonishments.