Chubu Electric president apologizes to mayor over Hamaoka nuclear data fraud

Chubu Electric Power President Kingo Hayashi apologized on January 15 to Masaru Shimomura, mayor of Omaezaki in Shizuoka Prefecture, over the company's fraud involving earthquake risk data for the Hamaoka nuclear power plant. This marks the first time the president has offered such an apology to the host municipality since the scandal emerged. Hayashi stated, "I take the case very seriously and apologize deeply."

On January 15, Chubu Electric Power President Kingo Hayashi and other executives met with Masaru Shimomura, mayor of Omaezaki, at the city's government office to apologize for the fraud concerning earthquake risk data submitted for the Hamaoka nuclear power plant. Hayashi told the mayor, "I take the case very seriously and apologize deeply."

The scandal involves the utility altering data provided to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), which has implications for the plant's restart plans amid ongoing seismic concerns in the region. Omaezaki serves as the host municipality for the Hamaoka facility, voicing local safety worries.

This is the first direct apology from the president to the host community since the issue surfaced, highlighting calls for improved corporate governance in the nuclear sector. Key themes include nuclear energy, utilities, earthquakes, and restarts.

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