A total of 254 patients at a state-run hospital in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, were administered radiation doses in excess of the amount prescribed by doctors over a seven-year period between 1988 and 1999, according to government and hospital officials.
The National Hirosaki Hospital said one radiologist, a man in his late 40s, was responsible for the errors and it will set up a panel to investigate the matter. The panel will include external experts, the hospital said.
The hospital, which reported the matter to the Aomori Prefectural Government and Aomori Prefectural Police, said Friday that it plans to contact all patients who received excessive radiation to find out whether they are suffering any side effects.