N-Plant told to close for six months

Press, 20 May 1981, Page 9

N-Plant told to close for six months

NZPA-Reuter : Tokyo The Japan Atomic Power Company would be ordered to close its Tsuruga nuclear plant in western Japan for six months as punishment for its failure to report radioactive spills at the station this year, Ministry . of International Trade and Industry officials said yesterday. ; It was the first time, the’ Japanese Government has taken such an action against an atomic power company. • The company first was threatened with criminal prosecution for the spillages, in which 56 workers were exposed to low-level radiation. The latest leak, in March, was called the worst in Japan’s nuclear history. The Minister of International Trade (Mr Rokusuke Tanaka). had promised that the com-

pany would be “rigorously, punished.”

Aides said Mr. Tanaka decided not to. prosecute the company because Japanese law allowed only for a $517 fine; Instead, he ordered the company to shut down its reactor and implement safety measures that officials said would cost about $ll million. - .

The company president and board chairman have said they will resign over the incident. Five board .directors, including the company’s vice-president, will be disciplined, probably by pay cuts. The company has also said it will punish 18 employees held responsible for the leaks at the 357,000 kW plant by the Japan Sea, 320 km west of Tokyo. It did not say what the punishment would: be. ’