Japan Press Weekly

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2017 January 5 - 10 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Niigata Gov. Yoneyama to TEPCO: I will reject restarting of NPP

Niigata Governor Yoneyama Ryuichi on January 5 met with Tokyo Electric Power Company executives at the prefectural government office and expressed his intention to reject the restarting of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station as he promised during the gubernatorial election campaign last October.

He informed TEPCO Chairman Sudo Fumio, TEPCO President Hirose Naomi, and President of TEPCO Niigata HQ Kimura Koichi of his intent at the meeting.

Governor Yoneyama pointed out that a thorough investigation into the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown still needs to be made to determine the cause of the accident and the impacts of radiation on people’s health and livelihoods so that the findings can contribute to drawing up safer evacuation plans.

He stated that unless this is accomplished, “I will not give permission to or even discuss the reactivation of the plant because my highest priority as governor is to protect residents’ lives”.

Under a safety agreement with the prefecture, TEPCO should give priority to resident safety securement in cooperation with the state government and hold opinion exchanges with 28 municipal governments in Niigata. The governor demanded that TEPCO adhere firmly to this agreement.

He continued to demand a reform in TEPCO’s management if judged to be necessary in the course of the investigations and said, “Everything must be based on scientific grounds and you must have actual proof and data regarding the plant status. Your cooperation is imperative.”

He added, “I believe it will take several years to complete the investigation in full. So, we all have to work together for the next couple of years in this effort.”

TEPCO Chairman Sudo in response said, “The stakeholders we attach the greatest importance to are the residents of NPP-hosting municipalities.”

Past related articles:
> Joint opposition candidate wins Niigata gubernatorial election [October 17, 2016]
> Joint opposition candidate will run in Niigata gubernatorial election focusing on NPP reactivation [September 24 & 25, 2016]