Japan forces tougher safety on nuclear facilities

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RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED March 31, 2011

Japan's nuclear power stations face closure unless they meet tougher safety requirements drawn up by the government, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda said on Wednesday.

Power plants in the country must be able to ensure that their cooling systems can function at all times, and provide emergency generators and high levels of staff training.

Meanwhile, the president of Tokyo Electric Power Co. which operates Japan's crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has been hospitalized, Kyodo news reported.

Masataka Shimizu was admitted to hospital on Tuesday and is being treated for high blood pressure and dizziness, the company's spokesman said.

The last time he was seen in public was at a news conference on March 13, two days after Fukushima was damaged by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami.

Deputy chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata will take over efforts to prevent major nuclear fallout at the plant.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. has come in for harsh criticism from the Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan for incorrect radiation readings and lack of transparency.

Topics: NPP Fukushima Daiichi

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