The government approved Friday an overall framework for using taxpayer money to help Tokyo Electric Power Co. pay an enormous sum in compensation to victims of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
Tepco is facing an estimated several trillion yen in damages and has sought the government's help to ensure that all payments will be made.
"Recognizing that the government has a social responsibility for having promoted nuclear power policy along with the nuclear power operators, the government will support Tepco . . . while aiming to minimize the burden on the public," the government said in a written statement Friday.