A government panel investigating the Aug. 9 nuclear reactor accident, which killed five workers and injured six others, has published an interim report that reveals a pattern of loose safety management. The central message is that the tragedy -- the worst in the history of Japan's nuclear power industry -- would have been prevented if strict safety measures had been taken.
The report, published by the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, blames the operator, Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO), for failing to conduct sufficient quality and maintenance checks. In a meeting with the company president, Mr. Yosaku Fuji, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Shoichi Nakagawa ordered a suspension of the reactor involved. It is the first time that a power company has received such a penalty under the Electric Utility Law.
The accident occurred in one of the light-water reactors (pressurized-water type) at KEPCO's nuclear power plant in Mihama, Fukui Prefecture. Investigations have revealed that a section of piping in the secondary loop ruptured due to stress and corrosion, spewing tons of superheated steam. There was no radiation exposure, however, because only the primary loop contains radioactive material.