JAPAN鈥檚 troubled nuclear power industry is facing a new crisis of
confidence following a fire and an explosion at the Tokaimura waste processing
plant 110 kilometres northeast of Tokyo. The Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel
Development Corporation (DONEN) is under attack for its handling of the
incident.
The fire broke out in a building where radioactive waste is mixed with
asphalt for storage in drums. Ten hours after the blaze was put out, the
building was shaken by an explosion, which investigators believe was caused by
volatile gases that built up after the fire.
DONEN鈥檚 reputation was only just recovering from a public relations disaster
15 months ago, when liquid sodium leaked from cooling pipes at the Monju
experimental fast-breeder reactor (This Week, 16 December 1995, p 7). DONEN鈥檚
attempts to reassure the public about that accident were discredited when it
emerged that the corporation had edited video footage of the damaged area.
Public distrust has since led to a rash of local referendums opposing the
construction of new nuclear plants.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 regrettable that DONEN failed to learn from the Monju accident,鈥� says
Hiroto Ishida, head of Japan鈥檚 Science and Technology Agency. 鈥淲e need to have a
full structural review of the corporation to ensure stricter safety
尘补苍补驳别尘别苍迟.鈥�
The government is so worried about public reaction to the Tokaimura explosion
that Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto immediately apologised for 鈥渃reating a
circumstance that caused unnecessary concern among the public鈥�.
Local people are angry about the lack of warning about the accident. DONEN
initially reported radiation levels 20 per cent above normal outside the
building, but embarrassed officials later admitted that the true level of
contamination was at least ten times higher. No alarms were sounded in the
nearby village of Tokai, and DONEN did not report the initial fire for another
five hours.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot to consider,鈥� says Jinzaburo Takagi, head of the Citizens鈥�
Nuclear Information Centre: 鈥淭he delay in reporting the incident, the delay in
coping with the explosion and the delay in releasing information shows how
inadequate the response was. Even after the Monju accident, DONEN officials are
repeating their mistakes.鈥�
The head of DONEN, Toshiyuki Kondo, has apologised to Tokai鈥檚 mayor for 鈥渢he
anxiety the accident caused鈥�.