Ex-TEPCO execs plead not guilty in Fukushima case

Mar 13, 2019 | News On Japan

Mar 13, 2019 (NHK) - Three former executives of Tokyo Electric Power Company have pleaded not guilty to professional negligence in connection with the 2011 nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

Former TEPCO Chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata and two former vice presidents were indicted on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury. All three have denied the charges.

Lawyers for the executives gave their closing argument at the Tokyo District Court on Tuesday.

The lawyers referred to an in-house report that management received three years before the accident. It said massive tsunami waves could hit Fukushima Daiichi, according to calculations based on the government's long-term assessment.

They said the basis for the calculations was unreliable and that it was standard procedure to hand the matter over to the Japan Society of Civil Engineers for further consideration. The defense team denied the executives put off countermeasures, adding that it was impossible for them to foresee and prevent the accident.

The trial, which began in June 2017, ended on Tuesday. The court is expected to deliver its sentence on September 19.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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