Recently released testimony from the former plant manager at Fukushima Daiichi made headlines in Japan this week, while Japanese regulators moved a step closer to allowing idled reactors to restart.
Recent developments related to the plant blacked out following Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami include:
Yoshida Testimony Released, Newspaper Issues Retraction
Thursday saw the public release of investigation testimony from former Fukushima plant manager Masao Yoshida and 18 others that the government had earlier refused to make public, citing confidentiality agreements. Japanese media reported that Yoshida's testimony added to the existing narrative of poor communication between Tokyo Electric Power Co. and government officials. The testimony also revealed that a story in May in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper was incorrect in how it characterized a partial employee evacuation early in the crisis. The Asahi had reported that, four days after the tsunami, 90 percent of workers at the plant temporarily retreated to the neighboring Fukushima Daiini facility against Yoshida's orders. On Thursday, the paper announced it had mischaracterized that evacuation based on testimony it obtained earlier, as Yoshido did not consider the evacuation contrary to his instruction to workers. In response to the mistake, the Asahi fired its head editor and retracted the story.
Safety Steps Approved at Sendai Plant
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority issued a screening certificate for two reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co.'s Sendai nuclear plant, moving them closer to becoming the first units in the country to restart. The certificate confirms that the plant meets new safety criteria put in place after the Fukushima accidents, although the plant still needs to submit additional construction plans, equipment drawings and procedures for review by the NRA. The Asahi reported that paperwork will likely be filed late this month, suggesting the reactors will not resume operation before the first of the year.