Further Japanese revelations

30 March 2007

[Asahi Shimbun, Kyodo, 30 March] Three further safety-related incidents have been uncovered in the Japanese Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry's purge of power operator's safety records. Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) admitted concealing an emergency shutdown of Fukushima 1 in 1984, and that in the late 1990s 34 of the unit's 137 control rods were dislodged by 15cm during an inspection. Workers corrected the rod positions immediately and there was no unintentional criticality. At that time, Tepco was not legally required to report the incident. In addition, Japan Atomic Power Company (Japco) admitted that a valve that compromised the airtight status of the continment vessel of Tsuruga 2 was hidden from inspectors before replacement two days later.

Further information

Tokyo Electric Power Co

Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry

WNN: Tepco revelas series of past incidents
WNN: Reactions to Shika 1 criticality
WNN: Shika 1 ordered to shut down
WNN: Tohoku admits secret shutdown

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