Fukushima Again!

Today the Japanese authorities admitted that more than double the amount of radiation than was announced earlier, had escaped from the Fukushima nuclear reactors. During the crisis itself, the fact of meltdowns was never admitted head on and euphemisms such as "near meltdown" etc. were floated. Now, the Japanese nuclear safety agency admits that meltdowns occurred in not one but three reactors. In the first reactor, the meltdown occurred within five hours after the first quake hit.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13678627

Meanwhile, most are not aware of the fact in September 2002, Mr. Nobuya Minami, President and Mr. Hiroshi Araki of the Tokyo Electric Power Company resigned after allegations of safety cover-ups were proven. Indeed, according to a Japan Times report referenced below, there have been regular cover-ups since 1995. Following a pattern, the President of TEPCO naturally apologized to the residents near the Fukushima Plant and promised better safety procedures:

"It is deeply regrettable that we have seriously damaged public trust, and I would like to apologize to the public and local residents (of areas close to the reactors)."

Earlier Monday, company sources said about 100 Tepco employees are suspected of being involved. Some of the damage, which earlier reports laid to wear and tear, has reportedly been secretly repaired.

The earliest falsification occurred in 1986, and the coverups are suspected to have continued through the mid-1990s, the sources said.

Minami said, however, that judging from the circumstances and the sequence of various events, the falsification cases may have continued after 1995"

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20020903a1.html

Such disasters of course cannot be blamed, as some commentators have, on the specific individuals and their alleged managerial deficits. The insatiable demand for energy and the pressure to generate profits regardless of the social costs are the key factors. Added to this if of course the fact of radio-activity, and the brute fact that there are no off buttons when it comes to nuclear reactors.