DATE=12/22/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN / NUKE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257388
BYLINE=STEVE SHAYMAN
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: One of the three Japanese workers exposed to a
massive dosage of radiation from September's nuclear
accident at Tokaimura, near Tokyo, has died. Steven
Shayman reports from Japan's capital that the death
has prompted calls for the curtailing of the country's
nuclear energy program.
TEXT: Doctors announced that the September 30th nuclear
accident -- the nation's worst -- claimed the life of
35-year old Hisashi Ouchi late Tuesday.
Mr. Ouchi has been in critical condition and his
chance for survival was weak from the start.
Mr. Ouchi was the first person to die of radiation
exposure in a nuclear accident in Japan. He and two
co-workers were injured when they sidestepped safety
procedures and illegally used buckets to pour uranium
into a tank, setting off a self-sustaining nuclear
reaction.
One of the other workers was discharged from the
hospital Monday, while a third remains under doctors'
care, although his condition is not life threatening.
In addition to Mr. Ouchi and the two others, at least
66 people, mostly workers at the plant, were exposed
to high levels of radiation in the accident. More
than 20 others who volunteered to contain the accident
were also exposed, while thousands of local people
were made to stay indoors or were evacuated.
The worker's death rekindled opposition to Japan's 40-
year nuclear power program, because it comes in the
wake of a series of smaller-scale accidents and cover-
up scandals. The Japan office of the Greenpeace
environmental group is urging Japan to revise its
nuclear policy, and to cancel a controversial plan to
develop plutonium-producing reactors.
Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi expressed condolences to
the dead worker's family. But he refused to back down
from planned expansion of Japan's nuclear program,
vowing only to strengthen nuclear safety measures and
find ways to prevents further accidents.
Meanwhile, Japanese police plan to step up their probe
into the criminal liability of the plant operator, J-
C-O, and its parent company Sumitomo Metal Mining
Corporation. Police raided Sumitomo facilities last
week to gather evidence. (signed)
NEB/SS/GC/FC
22-Dec-1999 06:08 AM EDT (22-Dec-1999 1108 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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