Prosecutors delay decision on indicting former TEPCO execs

Money talks the Law walks.

I am not a lawyer, but even the legal system in Japan is not blind. Unfortunately money always plays a role when dealing with the court system. Follow the money...I hope a good reporter from JT will follow the money trail. It took a citizens panel to get this far, "reinvestigating the case, after a citizens’ panel ruled in July that three former TEPCO executives" and now they want a special panel, but who will be on this appointed panel?

bjohnson I suspect the panel, or assembling a panel is not a big issue, if it is not already in place

"If the prosecutors again decline to take up the case, as some experts expect, the 11-member panel of unidentified citizens can order prosecutors to indict if eight members vote in favor.

Prosecutorial Review Commissions, made up of citizen appointees, are a rarely used but high-profile feature of Japan’s legal system introduced after World War Two to curb bureaucratic over-reach. They were given the power to force prosecutions in 2009."

Of course they did. And with all the smoke and mirrors we're being thrown I am sure they hope the populace as a whole just forgets about it and goes back to watching how Oishii stuff is on tv.

I'm getting very angry people just do not understand this is a medieval society.

Another delay? What a surprise, they've only had about three years to prepare. Its obvious they are dragging their feet until after the secrecy act is in place. I have a feeling that everything related to Fukushima power plants, will suddenly receive a nice, new outlook after the bill passes.

A lot like the illegal bid-rigging system for construction, and the delays in starting up the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Dome -- they want to wait for a larger dollar amount in brown envelopes before 'deciding'.

A lot like the illegal bid-rigging system for construction, and the delays in starting up the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Dome -- they want to wait for a larger dollar amount in brown envelopes before 'deciding'.

You do realize that the Prosecution had already made a decision not to indict initially, right? If there are brown envelopes involved, it would be the anti-nuclear groups giving it to the review committee to initiate this all over again.

"I am the law!" - It's impossible to prosecute those who own the prosecutors.

It seems the higher you are interested he ladder the less responsibility you have to take. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Nobody will ever be indicted for any wrong doing over the Fukushima disaster. TEPCO officials have admitted the meltdowns were caused by human error and a failure to upgrade equipment and implement newer safety standards. But, that doesn't really matter. As long as they have a made a public apology there is no need for criminal proceedings. I'm sure the 150,000 odd displaced residents of Fukushima, many of which are still living in shelters and temporary housing, will be thrilled to know their government and its cronies are safe and well living fat off their bonuses.

yep well delay and squeeze the Tepco execs for a little more bribe money before we make a decision.

Justice must be served. I hope former TEPCO president, Shimizu, is on the list too.