from Power Vol.21
July 2003

Rebuilding Trust in Nuclear Power

Public trust in Japan's electric power industry has been weakened due to the inappropriate handling of voluntary inspection records at nuclear power stations. Activities aimed at rebuilding trust are vital for the successful promotion of nuclear power. This is because the electric industry is community-based and customer confidence is our most valuable managerial resource.

Scene of Shroud Repair Work
Photo

When inappropriate handling of voluntary inspection records conducted by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) came to light last August, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced that inspected nuclear power plants did not present serious safety concerns. Having listened to the concerns of local areas, TEPCO decided to shut down and inspect all plants suspected of having cracks in the shrouds of reactor pressure vessels or where the possibility of such cracks existed. METI's subcommittee concluded that the cracked shrouds at TEPCO and other electric companies posed no serious safety threat and did not need to be repaired immediately. Inspection of the cracks at regular intervals was, however, recommended. Accordingly, TEPCO announced a policy of repairing all cracks in shrouds except very small ones that would clearly have no adverse effect on safe operations.

Moreover, it was revealed in October 2002 that leak tests on the reactor containment vessel at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit-1 in 1991 and 1992 had been falsified. After announcing that an external investigation team had confirmed that no other falsifications existed, TEPCO suspended operations of all nuclear power plants as instructed by NISA. During the shutdown, all required inspections are being carried out and plant operations are being restarted.

As the summertime peak in electricity demand approaches, TEPCO has been working to reduce demand by encouraging customers to conserve electricity. TEPCO has also increased supplies from other utilities. Nonetheless, in order to sustain a stable power supply, operation of 8 to 10 of the company's 17 nuclear power plants will be necessary. We, the electric power industry, are determined to work toward rebuilding confidence and securing a stable power supply.