Chubu electric hit with business improvement order - NHKニュース

Japan's Chubu Electric Power Company has been hit with a business improvement order over scandals at its Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant in Shizuoka Prefecture, including the falsification of data related to earthquake risks.

The order from from the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry says the incident occurred during a review of the plant's No.3 and No.4 reactors.

It also says the company altered reports related to decommissioning work on the No.1 and No.2 reactors.

The order was issued under the Electricity Business Act.

It was handed to Chubu Electric's President Yasui Minoru on Friday by Murase Yoshifumi, commissioner of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.

The ministry says in the order that inappropriate incidents occurring in a nuclear business undermine the trust of local communities and society. It says safety should be the top priority.

The order tells the company to fundamentally strengthen its compliance system and foster a sound corporate culture. It says the utility needs to fix the closed nature of its nuclear division.

Chubu Electric Power President Yasui Minoru said: "The biggest problem is that we couldn't hold free and lively discussions. We'd like to do our best to fully recognize the challenges facing working-level employees."

The ministry is asking the utility to submit a business improvement plan by November 30.