Sept 24th 2004
PETITION
FUKUI PREFECTURE
To: Shoichi Nakagawa, Minister, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
From: Issei Nishikawa, Governor, Fukui Prefecture
On the 9th of August 2004 an accident occurred at the Mihama Nuclear Power Station Unit 3 reactor. This incident seriously injured 11 people 5 of which lost their lives. This was the biggest disaster to date in the history of Japanese nuclear power.
In Fukui Prefecture we have worked hard for many years to win the people s trust and to build a safe reputation for nuclear power. It is extremely regrettable that this accident has destroyed that trust and the reputation of nuclear power in Fukui Prefecture.
I have serious misgivings about the government policy of leaving the supervision of the secondary loop to the autonomous safety inspections of the utilities. I strongly urge that the Government strengthen its involvement in the secondary loop inspection regime and establish a comprehensive strategy emphasizing prevention of accidents before they occur. The Government is responsible for ensuring safety and I strongly petition that it respond.
I petition that the Government undertake, as rapidly as possible, a responsible response to the issues raised in this petition.
Governor, Fukui Prefecture
Issei Nishikawa.
[EXCERPTS OF ISSUES RAISED]
1. Concerning the Investigation into the Cause of the Accident and Establishment of Measures to Prevent Reoccurrence
The government should undertake a comprehensive technical investigation into the rupture of the pipe, the direct cause of the accident. In addition the government should investigate the problem of supervision of the thickness of the pipes and address the companies general approach to safety, which can be thought of as the background which caused the accident.
The government should make all efforts to carry out a thorough deliberation of the application of and supervision of safety procedures listed below, and implement a comprehensive strategy to prevent the reoccurrence of similar accidents:
- the utility s autonomous management system which address requirements of outside consignors
- method of assuring that the utility s data management system and inspection regimes are appropriately in place
- accurate sharing of technical information with other utilities and manufacturers
2. A Reassessment of Measures to be Undertaken for Aging Nuclear Power Plants
We are entering an era where nuclear power plants are aging, demanding even greater thoroughness of inspections. The Mihama Unit 3 accident was an accident brought on by the fact due attention was not paid to the aging problem.
A reassessment of the measures to be taken for the nation s aging plants must be undertaken which establishes the methods of inspection and assessment that include a detailed investigation into damage due to aging which has occurred in Europe and the USA, analyses and appraisals of safety regulation and management methods, investigation and examination of the newest knowledge and information, and inspection of aging nuclear power plants.
4. Building a Radically Different Safety Management System
(1) The government should constantly take the newest knowledge and information, including information which can be gleaned from examples of accidents both domestic and international, establishing clear safety standards, maintenance standards, and inspection guidelines based on scientific rationality.
5. Establishing a Comprehensive System whereby the Safety Authority will be Located within Local/ Regional Authorities where Nuclear Power Plants are Located
The regulatory functions of nuclear power plant safety should be transferred to the local/regional areas where nuclear power plants are located, and should adopt regional solutions in alignment with the area.
6. Nuclear Inspection and Research Organs
In order that nuclear power be trusted by the people and become an industry that is well established within the region, it is absolutely necessary that a research and development body be established at the site of the local/regional authority where the nuclear power plants are located. We demand that the government establish such a body in Fukui Prefecture. This body will look into the causes of accidents and incidents, undertake inspection and analysis etc. on potential accidents and incidents, be a testing and research institute which will undertake inspection and research concerning safety issues, and, undertake a wide range of nuclear research over a broad area of discipline.
7. The Government s Safety Regulatory Regime
(1) In this day and age of fast pace new technological developments, it is necessary to rapidly incorporate new knowledge, with a government safety regime which aims for precision, reliability, transparency, fairness, and speed.
We demand that a regulatory regime for safety be established which can be trusted by the citizens of this nation and whose seat of responsibility is clearly delineated. This would entail a fundamental revamping of current nuclear power safety regulation such as bringing together into one entity such organs as the Nuclear Safety Commission and the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), making transparent what are the responsibilities and roles of government and industry respectfully, etc.
(2) We demand that a Nuclear Power Accident Investigation Committee (provisional name) be established. This committee would have the authority to propose investigation into the cause of serious accidents at nuclear facilities or into indications where such accidents may occur, and to issue recommendations concerning policies to prevent accidents.
8. The Government’s Role in Recovering Trust in Nuclear Power
The government must commit its utmost to recover the trust of prefectural citizens in nuclear power lost as a result of this accident, eradicating anxiety and suspicion. This should be undertaken by investigating the causes of the accident, and, with regards to deliberation concerning measures to prevent reoccurrence and the current state of the utility’s inspection results, the government should explain and report thoroughly to the local/regional authorities where the plants are located, making the information public in a timely and proper manner.
END
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