DATE=10/4/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN - NUCLEAR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254619
BYLINE=TANYA CLARK
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Japan's Prime Minister, Keizo Obuchi, has
ordered a review of safety procedures at the nation's
nuclear facilities. Tanya Clark reports from Tokyo
that suggestions last week's nuclear accident in Japan
occured due to illegal operations and outright
blunders are prompting calls for action throughout the
country.
TEXT: Japan's Prime Minister has ordered his
government to review safety measures for nuclear power
to prevent a recurrence of last week's accident. The
Science and Technology Agency says it will inspect the
dozens of Japanese facilities handling nuclear fuel,
to ensure the safety of operations. Japan's Ministry
of International Trade and Industries also says it
will perform safety checks on all of the nation's 51
nuclear reactors.
Last week's accident, the worst nuclear mishap in
Japan's history, was not the first to occur at nuclear
facilities in Tokaimura, the town 110 kilometers from
Tokyo.
In the latest incident, the government has admitted to
being slow to respond to the crisis, the plant's
operators have admitted to illegally shortening work
tasks by altering government approved manuals, and the
workers critically injured in the blast admitted they
poured 16 kilograms of uranium into a container built
for less than a quarter of that amount.
At least 49 people were exposed to radiation in the
Tokaimura accident. There is a growing public outcry
against what is seen as the government's lax
supervision of Japan's nuclear power industry.
(Signed)
NEB/TC/FC/PLM
04-Oct-1999 04:41 AM EDT (04-Oct-1999 0841 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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