In a brief summary of its investigation of the Fukushima Daiichi crisis, the International Atomic Energy Agency faulted the March 11 tsunami, rather than the earthquake that preceded it, for precipitating reactor accidents at the Japanese nuclear plant.
The IAEA report lends further credence to Tokyo Electric Power Co's statements that damage to reactors was the fault of the tsunami that flooded generators and other emergency systems. Some data from the plant has led other experts to surmise that critical cooling systems were damaged by the magnitude 9 earthquake before the flooding.
The preliminary findings submitted to the Japanese government Wednesday are from a report written by an IAEA fact-finding team sent to the Fukushima Daiichi, Fukushima Daini and Tokai Daini nuclear plants on May 23. A summary made public Wednesday also said Japan miscalculated the risks tsunamis pose to its nuclear plants.
"The tsunami hazard for several sites was underestimated. Nuclear designers and operators should appropriately evaluate and provide protection against the risks of all natural hazards," the summary states.
Japan Times also reported that the IAEA team's conclusions indicated the Japanese government needs to review its nuclear regulatory framework to insure its independence from industry.