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2012 March 28 - April 3 [NUCLEAR CRISIS]

Electric companies opposed stronger anti-disaster measures at nuclear plants

Before the Fukushima nuclear accident last year, electric companies raised objections to the Nuclear Safety Commission’s plan to impose stronger disaster-prevention measures on nuclear power plants.

This was revealed by documents the NSC released on March 27.
　
In December 2010, the NSC decided to consider including in its disaster-prevention guidelines for nuclear power plants, safety standards set by the IAEA and other international institutions.

The international standards included the designation of a Precautionary Action Zone (PAZ) up to 5 km from the plant where all residents would be immediately evacuated in the event of a nuclear accident, and an Urgent Protective Action Planning Zone (UPZ) within 30 km from the plant where preparations need to be made for residents to evacuate or stay indoors in the event of an accident.

The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan, in its statements published in January and February 2011, expressed its objection to the plan, stressing that the introduction of PAZ would have a negative impact on the economy in the designated areas and create anxiety among residents in regard to the national government’s existing disaster-prevention measures.

The federation also stated that municipalities designated as UPZ could possibly urge the state to provide subsidies. If urban areas are designated as UPZ, it would be difficult to ignore their demands, which could lead to major confusion, it added.

Shortly after this, the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred in March 2011.

On March 22 this year, the NSC released its latest proposal for revision of anti-disaster measures on nuclear power plants, which now includes the introduction of PAZ and UPZ.

The Federation of Electric Companies was established in 1952 by nine electric power companies (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Tokyo, Chubu, Hokuriku, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu). Okinawa Electric Power Company later joined the federation in 2000. Its head office is in the building of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) in Tokyo.