Chubu Electric to withdraw from nuclear review process

Japan's Chubu Electric Power Company has decided to withdraw a review application necessary for restarting two of its nuclear reactors. It comes after a scandal over data tampering. The firm had falsified safety data provided to the Nuclear Regulation Authority.

The data were for an earthquake risk review required for restarting two reactors at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant in central Japan.

The company submitted a 250-page report by the investigating committee to the NRA on Monday.

The report says remarks by executives and employees suggest they felt justified in their behavior. It says there was what the report called an 'extremely unusual way of thinking' at the company. It also says that mindset was held not only by specific people, but by certain groups at the utility. The report says that behavior is consistent with other scandals involving the company.

Company president Hayashi Kingo and Chairman Katsuno Satoru said they will step down to take responsibility for the scandal. They say they will leave their posts on September 30.

Hayashi said: "We feel it is unacceptable for a nuclear power operator to repeatedly engage in misconduct. We betrayed the trust of the people in the region, and caused doubt about our eligibility to be a plant operator."

Hayashi also said that the management failed to recognize and rectify the problem despite repeated internal reporting on the issue, including whistleblowing. He said there are serious issues in governance and corporate culture.