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Japan's nuclear safety standards flawed, says commission chief

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Do my senses deceive me? Finally a official who admits the mistakes made, and speaks the truth. Fair play to you sir.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

And the truth shall set you free.

Toi bad the lesson was a bit too expensive.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Japan’s nuclear safety chief said Wednesday the country’s regulations are flawed, outdated and below global standards,

meaning? No Standards.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

almost a year later - finally someone has the guts to say that this industry in Japan has not been taken seriously. hey, you guys, this is important stuff. WAKE UP

6 ( +7 / -1 )

and who said bring back the LDP, what, for more of the same cronyism.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This man rocks. Make him the next PM and finally change this country!

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Respectable words from people worth respecting. Objectivity reflects professionalism so much better than arrogance, now doesn't it?

My respects to these gentlemen, the kind of true Japanese I came to meet in the first place!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Just wondering, how can these people sleep at night before acknowledging that they could have in some ways prevented some of the damages caused by the disaster?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Finally someone has finally admitted the truth!! But isn`t is a bit too late!! Now that there has been so many deaths in Japan which is still going on until day, what will the Japanese government do to compensate everyone for their lost!!

How about all of the families that are living in shelters and the families that are still living in the radiated areas!

How about all of the contaminated food and drinks thats being served to the school children in Japanese schools!

What will the government of Japan do about all of that!!

I`m pretty sure that the Japanese government does not have enough cash to compensate everyone in Japan that has been affected by their stupidity and false information to the public.

The Japanese governmental idiots thats in office needs to stand up on their two feet and start to look for ways to improve peoples lives in Japan.

They should look for ways to raise money to compensate everyone in Japan without making things harder for the lives of everyone thats living in Japan.

Here are a few suggestions that I think may work:

Dont`t raise unnecessary taxes in Japan to make it harder for people to live in Japan. They should raise the tabacco tax to generate income. (This will create healthier lives and generate money at the same time) All gambling places in Japan should have a higher tax put on this. (By doing this, they will generate more income for the government to compensate everyone) The Japanese government should stop wasting money on unnecessary construction jobs. (This will save the Japanese government a whole lot of money) Every politician in Japan should forfeit their bonus checks for the next 15 years. (This will also save the Japanese government a lot of money too) The Japanese politicians should stop wasting tax payer money on useless meetings that end up nowhere. The Japanese politicians should be made to pay for things themselves when they are socializing outside working hours.

I`m sure others here have more ideas on how the Japanese government can save money and generate income at the same time.

Well, that is my comment on what Japan needs to do to make things better for everyone in Japan.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Isn't it refreshing to hear a bit of honesty for a change? Let's hope this is the turning of the corner. If these deficiencies applied to Fukushima Dai-ichi you can bet they apply to many, most or all of the other plants too. So let's see some real action there.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Why on earth was it necessary to build 54 nuclear reactors?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Why the sudden change in attitude? Conscience? Haruki Madarame, or Detarame as he is nicknamed by Japanese, has been a shill for the nuclear village for the last 15~20 years, spending most of his academic career promoting social acceptance of nuclear power. Like many others, he received millions of yen in grants from the nuclear plant operators, basically following their instructions to allow them to make almost unlimited money after 20 years of use. Check out some of his video clips on YouTube, where he laughs at interviewers asking him about safety 5~10 years ago, and boast of how much money can be made.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

nice that someone admits it, but will there something be done about it or is this just another smokescreen?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

As I wrote elsewhere, I hope this is all in the Japanese media too.. This morning on TV, the designer of the plant is saying there is a massive risk if there are more large earthquakes, and TEPCO says they have "tested" and they are OK for now..

Im can't see the future, but I think its pretty clear that sometime in the near future there will be almost certainly be a large earthquake that could effect the stability of the already very broken plant. I hope they are doing everything they can to prepare for it.. but much like preparing water pipes for winter I sadly suspect we are at the mercy of luck and chance.

What kind of mad world do we live in where a clearly negligent corporation, and totally flawed and quite possibly corrupt safety standards are allowed to continue.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I guess you could sum it up and call them slackers. They sure can get a fast train right.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Nobuaki Terasaka, head of NISA until August, said he has no science or nuclear background and hardly participated in crisis management at the prime minister’s office. As a whole, NISA could not fully serve its expected role when it was most needed, he said.

Shocking, To have such responsible positions with no qualifications. Everyone without the proper credentials at the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency should be fired.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Quite amazing to read this;an admission of liability? More to the point might be that there are countless bodies like these parasitically draining the ordinary hardworking taxpayer.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This article makes me say oh HAPPY DAY!!!

I really appreciate this. This honesty. This disclosure is what's needed to start the mending process. We need TEPCO to do this as well. Stop thinking about money you have to pay. Come clean. The lies only exacerbate the situation.

Let the healing begin. This needs to be documented and circulated.

I'm happy for the people of Fukushima who finally have the truth that they can wield against the corporate energy giant that seeks to muzzle their voices. It's always a great news day when the news is finally the truth.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I am delighted to hear someone stand up and say it as it is. However, is it going to change anything? What's it going to take to motivate people here to take a stand and say 'No more!' .

A big earthquake is due. Honestly, god help us all.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

So this NSC group (panel of 100 experts) have probably been paid big boy salaries for decades while doing nothing at all other than sweep any issue under the carpet. What a bunch of crooks. Nice this guy speaks out now but groups like this (and him) should be held accountable and face some kind of court trial. Unfortunately that will never happen in Japan.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This reminds me of the Japanese "experts" who, on viewing damaged freeways in Northern California after the '89 Loma Prieta quake there, said that it couldn't happen in Japan. Then along came the Awaji-Hanshi quake in '95, which proved them wrong and finally provoked action to reinforce the highways here.

I hope we finally get a lot less of the "it couldn't happen here" denial mentality and a lot more of the "how do we act to minimize damage when it does happen here (again)" way of thinking. It's a shame that it takes huge loss of life and property to drag supposedly responsible authorities' heads out of the sand.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I would love these announcements to be borne of honesty and sincerity, however, the cynical voice inside says that now the failings have been identified, they can set up a new agency to deal with the matter.

A program of renewal will be implemented with "Grand Reopening" event declared. Expect the number of reactors though to drop from 54 to 48 - the magic number!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So he's spoken up - I thank him for that - but why on earth has it taken so long and why didn't HE do anything about the lax safety standards and problems. He's being hailed a hero by some of you on here but he's part of the problem and has known for years. He's just as guilty as the rest of them. Why come out now with this info? Sorry, but I'm thinking he's got to be benefiting from this somehow.

And he's not telling us anything most of us knew already. Unsafe, overlooked and overpaid.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Tmarie- to quote you 'Well said.' I wonder if his conscience has got the better of him. I might be dreaming but it would be nice to think that someone here has one.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

No regulations can make a nuclear plant safe. 50 years, and look at the accidents, with each disaster trumping the one before it. Pull the plug in this junk ...the technology isn't needed, and never was.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

What does it take to have highly paid officials in charge of ensuring the safety of the population from such potentially disastrous situations do their appointed tasks. It seems that during each officials term, they try to save money and implement strategies and policies that are cheap and don't rock the boat, then they move on to another appointment and leave others to either change things or follow suit. Maybe if these officials were told they had to live near the power plant they are in charge of, with their families, then things will actually be done properly.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Technology is needed. Everything in the world produces risks, from walking in the mountain to crossing a street. As I always say: words for the show, action for the pro. Where does money go to? Mainly to the show nowadays... As a scientist, I get disgusted...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This guy must be(I certainly HOPE SO) feeling a %$# load of guilt since 3/11.

OK the SOB has spoken a few words of honesty, rare I admit, what I want to know is after he did so did he go to the nearest koban & turn himself in, THIS GUY IS BEYOND BEING A CRIMINAL!!!

And I cringe to know that there are 10s of thousands all over Japan, just like this scumbag, in EVERY ASPECT of our lives in govt & beaurocracy, that CONSTANTLY lie to us, cheat, steal from us & pi$$ all over us.

This country so unbelieveably rotten at its cores it truly disgusts me, especially with 3/11 & my tax return due next month, makes my blood boil.

And even tho 99% of us knew its still scary to have this SOB! Tell us every nuke plant in the country is just an earthquake away from a high chance of more nuke disasters.

I seriously wish I cud just snap my fingers today & become a flyjin, may this SOB & his ilk rot inside a nuke plant!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

And let me guess how they're going to rememdy the problem: they're going to form a panel to examine the feasability of assigning a new body to regulate NISA, and will promise transparency and to root out all inadequecies, etc. In other words, they'll throw more money to NISA and do nothing to change.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It took them this long to figure that out? I could have told them on March 11th for free!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Commenters rock completely on this one. Nobuaki Terasaka, head of NISA...just a shill with a well-paid job, expected to do nothing. Would be nice if these idiots also had a little truth-telling change of heart and started to get things done that will work and not destroy the planet if it all goes a big "Whoopsie Daisey!".

2 ( +2 / -0 )

“We ended up wasting our time looking for excuses that these measures are not needed in Japan,” Madarame said

All that needs to be said about "modern-day" Japan. Instead to using their collective energy to bring so many aspects of society up to world class standards, instead, as he says, they simply waste time "looking for excuses" as to why Japan should be treated differently. Such a shame. And now it has cost Japan billions and will set back the country for decades and burden the younger generations for with the cost of this failure of leadership.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

zichi, you are the man! Totally agree especially with your second (political) post.

And LDP is responsible not only for the "nuclear mess" but for a bunch of other issues that are now inherited by DPJ. The later though are too stupid or incompetent to convey the damage and convince the public what has to be done. And LDP just barks for the undone manifesto promises... Well sorry for being a little out of topic...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

He said they thought keeping backup generators would be enough, and never thought of the risk of placing them in the basement—the area most prone to seawater damage from tsunami.

Truly unbelievable. You'd have to be brain dead not to think of this possibility.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This guy is what Japan need to lead the country. I wonder why it took almost a year before the truth about the nuke power plants problems and NISA's sleeping on it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

bajhista65

What the......... this idiot WAS ""leading""" thats part of why its so messed up here, him feeling guilty & admitting some truths sure as HELL dont make him anything remotely to aspire too!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It must ave taken this man a lot to coe clean lie ths. Although he is as 'guilty' as the other politicians he deserves reckognition for this.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This maybe why J Govt decided to come clean ( Fukushima delegation ends visit to Chernobyl ) J Govt officials have to take the situation head on now. The mistakes have been made and now it is time to repair what they can.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/07_16.html

The Japan Times online published an article yesterday called ( Health threat from cesium-137 ). Basically if a child consumes 50bq per kg of cesium-137 it causes irreversible heart damage in a child. An article is on enenews also.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/rc20120216a1.html

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Well it looks like this article was just an admission that NISA did not know what they were doing. From reading the ex-skf and enenews pages it seems that everything a back to normal meaning Hosono is still trying to get other prefectures to accept the debris from the devastated areas to be burned.

The Ministry of Health and Labor's New radiation Safety standard is supposed to come into effect in April says external radiation exposure shall be 1 millisievert per year instead of 5 millisieverts per year. For food safety 100 bq of radioactive cesium per kg, for infants and milk 50 bq of radioactive cesium per kg is acceptable.

The Ministry of Education and Science's Radiation Council says 20 millisieverts per year external radiation exposure for school children would be safe and acceptable. Food safety standard for infants "unnecessary", 100 Bq/kg radioactive cesium limit "sufficient consideration" I just think J Govt does not want to inconvenience the farmers and just wants to keep everything going like there never was a nuclear accident.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

zichiFeb. 16, 2012 - 08:02AM JST

Why has it taken Haruki Madarame nearly one year to state what so many already knew on 3/11?

True. Though to be honest, all regulatory bodies in Japan seem sub-par.

Haruki Madarame is now telling us that all of the countries 54 atomic reactors are unsafe and we can't trust the safety standards set by the various atomic agencies nor the power companies which implement them?

No, just that the regulations aren't up to scratch. Individual reactors could be more, or less safe depending on their location.

I guess that the mandatory reactor stress tests, which recent IAEA inspectors stated were up to their "standards" are out of the window and blown to hell!

I think the stress tests focus on resistance to tsunamis and earthquakes, and are to a higher standard than the NSC ones. Also, the IAEA standards, as stated in the article, are higher than the Japanese ones.

The earthquake of 3/11, collapsed the pylons carrying the off site power supplies but they had backup generators which would not have helped because the earthquake also destroyed the off site water supply and a loss of power meant the water pumping station couldn't work.

Yet the better protected back-up generators at Dai-Ni worked well, and the plant was brought to a state of true cold shutdown on March 15th.

The offsite power and water needed to continue to cool the reactors was lost. Even without the mega tsunami there would have been a nuclear disaster and meltdown.

Diesel generators, emergency cooling systems (as in Dai-Ni) or even seawater. Your claim doesn't meet the reality of how Dai Ni survived.

In the original building of the NPP, no one thought to build a lake next to the plant?

Would have needed advanced warning of the tsunami risk, which was only appearing in the early 2000s.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

zichiFeb. 17, 2012 - 01:46AM JST

Nuclear energy is just too dangerous to be in the hands of humans and profit seeking power companies. This story and industry needs to end.

Same could be said of coal, oil and gas. Humanity has a choice of occasional nuclear incidents, or turning the Earth into a hostile, and potentially uninhabitable planet (fossil fuels).

Yes, Japanese regulatory agencies need to be reshaped - but i I think it's a testament to people's concern about potential hazards to themselves that virtually no one has asked:

"Who was responsible for warning the citizens of Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate Kens about the threat of tsunamis?"

And:

"Why were the emergency warning system not designed to cope with a power outage?"

Whoever was responsible for these failing, which resulted in the deaths of 25,000 people, must be breathing a sigh of release at society's single-minded focus on the nuclear issue.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I see we have people who don't care about the deaths of 25,000 people in Tohoku here!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

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