Japan Press Weekly

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2011 April 13 - 19 [POLITICS]

Chief Cabinet Secretary admits of golden parachute to TEPCO

Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano Yukio acknowledged that an executive post at the Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) is reserved for high-ranking Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry officials after their retirement, and he promised that the government will look into the so-called “Amakudari” practice and report to the Diet.

Edano’s reply was made in response to Shiokawa Tetsuya of the Japanese Communist Party questioning in the House of Representatives Cabinet Committee meeting on April 13.

Shiokawa pointed out that a succession of METI-affiliated Resources and Energy Agency directors general have obtained executive positions at TEPCO after their retirement since 1962.

Edano said, “You are quite right.”

Particularly, ex-R&E Agency Director General Ishida Toru, who parachuted to TEPCO this January as a counselor, played a major role in formulating the energy policy in June 2010 calling for 14 or more new nuclear reactors.

Shiokawa asked, “Don’t you think that the “Amakudari” practice in association with providing the gift of a pro-nuclear energy policy has distorted Japan’s energy policy?”

The chief cabinet secretary said, “People have suspected that the practice might have distorted the policy.” He added, “No collusive relations should exist between those who guide and supervise nuclear energy and nuclear power plants and those under their control and supervision.”

At a press conference on the same day, he said that the “Amakudari” practice should not be allowed even if it is not breaking the law.