Nuclear Problems To Be Disclosed After Resolved
Japan's nuclear regulator has decided that problems at a terrorism-response facility for a reactor must not be made public in principle until they are resolved. The regulator regards the decision as part of anti-terrorism measures.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority discussed on Wednesday its policy of disclosing possible problems at the back-up facilities. The agency also decided when information is released after resolution, details should not be included. The regulator also says it will swiftly disclose serious problems that may lead to a halt of a reactor while withholding their details.
The NRA normally announces trouble at a nuclear plant but it says it has set the exception to avoid risks that terrorists may gain details of such facilities.
The NRA obliges power companies to build back-up facilities that include control rooms and generators in case of a terrorist attack or a serious accident due to a disaster.
The construction of the facility for the No.1 reactor at Kyushu Electric Power Company's Sendai plant in southwestern Japan is expected to be complete this month. It will be the first in the country.
Professor Kamisato Tatsuhiro at Chiba University, who is an expert on the link between science and society, says risks at nuclear plants are not limited to terrorism, and information is necessary for open discussions on safety measures.
Kamisato also says the central government and power utilities are responsible for explaining the reasons, if they cannot publicize information on problems.
