DATE=10/4/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN - NUCLEAR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254619
BYLINE=TANYA CLARK
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO: Japan's Prime Minister, Keizo Obuchi, has 
ordered a review of safety procedures at the nation's 
nuclear facilities.  Tanya Clark reports from Tokyo 
that suggestions last week's nuclear accident in Japan 
occured due to illegal operations and outright 
blunders are prompting calls for action throughout the 
country.

TEXT: Japan's Prime Minister has ordered his 
government to review safety measures for nuclear power 
to prevent a recurrence of last week's accident.  The 
Science and Technology Agency says it will inspect the 
dozens of Japanese facilities handling nuclear fuel, 
to ensure the safety of operations. Japan's Ministry 
of International Trade and Industries also says it 
will perform safety checks on all of the nation's 51 
nuclear reactors.  

Last week's accident, the worst nuclear mishap in 
Japan's history, was not the first to occur at nuclear 
facilities in Tokaimura, the town 110 kilometers from 
Tokyo.  

In the latest incident, the government has admitted to 
being slow to respond to the crisis, the plant's 
operators have admitted to illegally shortening work 
tasks by altering government approved manuals, and the 
workers critically injured in the blast admitted they 
poured 16 kilograms of uranium into a container built 
for less than a quarter of that amount. 

At least 49 people were exposed to radiation in the 
Tokaimura accident.  There is a growing public outcry 
against what is seen as the government's lax 
supervision of Japan's nuclear power industry.  
(Signed) 

NEB/TC/FC/PLM

 



04-Oct-1999 04:41 AM EDT (04-Oct-1999 0841 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.