Fukushima court rules TEPCO, gov't liable over 2011 disaster

Well done! I hope that the Supreme Court here upholds this ruling too!

Well the government has more money, so they must be the ones responsible. - Logic

Unfortunately most of the plaintiffs will be long dead before the supreme court decides anything and all the appeals are exhausted.

A victory, but chump change. 500 million yen split 3800 ways is only about 130,000yen each. Poor people.

Once again MATH fails the people, as kiwiboy has correctly pointed out we have at best a moral victory........Y130,000 per plaintiff

Once again govt & Japan Inc have been given the greenlight to totally ignore the people of Japan!

Just like the Dentsu case, you "win" but really you LOSE!!

Carry on!

A victory, but chump change

exactly. Is this a joke? That’s less than $4.5M. Tepco probably spend that much on entertainment sandwiches. Bright side - at least a positive ruling. Someone needs to investigate also, tepco’s future risk assessment post the tragedy. And have it verified.

Too bad if it goes to the Supreme Court on appeal, they usually side with the establishment; in this case the 'nuclear village.'

¥500 million each family would've been better.

Good luck and well done to all those for standing their ground against nuclear power, Japan should be more supportive of renewable generation. The potential for renewables is huge and is an essential; step in addressing man-made climate by offsetting carbon emissions.

 Nuclear power is unsafe, uneconomic and totally unnecessary !! The consequences of a nuclear accident can be devastating and the fallout will not respect borders.

Well, that's a start. However, isn't it about time some of the TEPCO (Totally Evil Power Company?) executives were brought to court and, maybe, actually punished by, heaven forbid, actual prison time. Surely some of them must take responsibility for destroying the livelihoods of thousands upon thousands of people?

Also, what about the government cover-up merchants like Yukio Edano? Shouldn't he be prosecuted for "alleged" lying? At least prison time would give him an opportunity to wear a different colored boiler suit than the one he generally wore while talking about Fukushima from his extremely safe bolt hole in Tokyo.

In our local news channels, all reported this news more than other big news. USA.

It is time to stop Nuclear energy plants. Chinese gov't is stopping coal using power and replacing with solar energy panels because coals create pollution.

A win a loss, totally unfair to individuals. But when have they mattered?. At least we know the Chiba Judge will get a Supreme Court appointment. Others being principled not so lucky. As a foot note the Japanese justice system is not medieval as the government delegate screemed at his peers at the U.N.

Put the Tepco 5 in prison for two years would be enough. Any small money given to those effected will come from taxpayers.

As others have posted, a win and yet still a loss. Simple far too little money.

A Shamefully small amount.

The compensation figure needs at least a couple more zeros on the end of it to even approach a realistic number.

The court upheld the plaintiffs' argument that the disaster could have been prevented if the economy and industry ministry had ordered TEPCO to move emergency diesel generators from the basement to higher ground and make the reactor buildings water-tight based on 2002 data that suggested there was a risk of a tsunami as high as 15.7 meters (51 feet).

So, there it is! This information has been kept very 'hush-hush', but I'm glad to see it finally in the news. However, just because the local court has ruled against TEPCO and the government ministry doesn't mean anybody is gonna see any money. The Supreme court will quash this on some equivocal point.

What folks need to remember that any money that gets paid out in the judgement will more than likely come from the pockets of the taxpayers themselves. TEPCO is not going to feel any pain, nor the government, so they will fight this tooth and nail for decades.

So how does this work with a local court ruling something over the government? Couldn't they just override it?

130,000 yen per plaintiff? Try again, people! You're forgetting the lawyers! They get a percentage of winnings - 20 to 30%.