DATE=10/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN NUCLEAR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254703
BYLINE=STEVEN SHAYMAN
DATELINE=TOKYO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: Japanese authorities have raided the offices of 
the company that operates the uranium processing plant 
where the nation's worst-ever nuclear accident 
occurred last week.  As Steven Shayman reports from 
Tokyo, the raids come just before a scheduled visit to 
the stricken facility by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.
 
TEXT:  Hundreds of police officers early Wednesday 
descended on offices of the J-C-O company in the town 
of Tokaimura, 110 kilometers northeast of Tokyo.  They 
also raided the firm's Tokyo headquarters.  

At Tokaimura, police are reported to have limited 
their search to an office building and other locations 
- remaining away from the nuclear fuel building, 
because of safety concerns.

The raids are part of intensified police efforts to 
search for evidence of criminal wrongdoing, in last 
Thursday's nuclear fuel processing accident.  The 
mishap sent three workers to the hospital and exposed 
at least 49 people, including local residents, to 
radiation.  

Two of the three hospitalized workers remain in 
critical condition.  Police say the workers had poor 
knowledge of the chemical substances they were 
handling and of what quantities would set off a self-
sustained nuclear chain reaction. 

J-C-O officials have admitted they changed their 
government-approved manual seven or eight years ago to 
enable them to finish plant operations faster.

Meantime, reports quote Japanese government sources 
saying the Science and Technology Agency - as a result 
of its own inspections of the Tokaimura plant - is set 
to revoke J-C-O's business license. 

The reports say the agency probe, made between Sunday 
and Tuesday, confirmed suspicions of professional 
negligence and that J-C-O intentionally violated 
government safety procedures when processing uranium 
fuel.

Public anger has been considerable in the wake of the 
Tokaimura accident - the latest in a long string of 
such incidents in Japan.  Japan's cabinet installed 
this week will soon draft a law mandating stronger 
contingency plans for nuclear disasters.  It also 
intends to revise legislation to tighten safety 
standards at nuclear facilities. (Signed)

NEB/SS/FC/PLM



06-Oct-1999 01:38 AM EDT (06-Oct-1999 0538 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.