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Japan ex-PM Naoto Kan says state to blame for Fukushima | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Former Japanese leader Nato Kane has told a parliamentary commission on the Fukushima disaster the state should be held responsible for the crisis. | |
Mr Kan, who was prime minister when tsunami damage tipped three nuclear reactors into meltdowns, also said he struggled to get a full picture of developments at the plant. | |
The panel has already heard from lawmakers and nuclear industry experts. | The panel has already heard from lawmakers and nuclear industry experts. |
The commission is due to deliver its report in June. | The commission is due to deliver its report in June. |
Mr Kan has faced criticism that he got involved both too little and too much at different stages of the crisis. | |
"The nuclear accident was caused by a nuclear plant which operated as national policy," he said. "I believe the biggest portion of blame lies with the state." | |
He said that although specific technical issues at the plant were discussed, he was given no more general overview. | |
"There was no explanation of what the situation at the Dai-ichi site was, nor how the situation may unfold, nor what should be done if certain events occur," Mr Kan said. "Unfortunately there was no discussion on such topics whatsoever." | |
Fuel pond fears | |
On Sunday, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano - who was the top government spokesman at the time - told the commission there had been no attempt to mislead the public about the severity of the crisis. | On Sunday, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano - who was the top government spokesman at the time - told the commission there had been no attempt to mislead the public about the severity of the crisis. |
He said the government had not fully understood the extent of the damage to the plant. | He said the government had not fully understood the extent of the damage to the plant. |
He also said that Japan had refused a US request to place its nuclear experts in the prime minister's office, citing sovereignty issues. | He also said that Japan had refused a US request to place its nuclear experts in the prime minister's office, citing sovereignty issues. |
At the Fukushima Daiichi plant itself, the reactors are now stable, Tepco says. | At the Fukushima Daiichi plant itself, the reactors are now stable, Tepco says. |
But there is concern about the spent fuel pool on the top floor of the badly damaged reactor number four building. | But there is concern about the spent fuel pool on the top floor of the badly damaged reactor number four building. |
If it collapses, it could cause another catastrophe, officials have warned. But Tepco says it has reinforced the structure against another earthquake. | If it collapses, it could cause another catastrophe, officials have warned. But Tepco says it has reinforced the structure against another earthquake. |
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of residents remain evacuated from an exclusion zone around the plant. | Meanwhile, tens of thousands of residents remain evacuated from an exclusion zone around the plant. |