#FukushimaDiary was a mainstay of news about what was / is going on at #Fukushima. The author, #IoriMochizuki, fled Japan, but still reported on #TEPCOLies and provided a valuable service by translating TEPCO documents and inconsistencies in #RadiationLevels. #Mochizuki is still active (though not as much as he used to be), and posted this story back in November 2024.

Former TEPCO Chairman #Katsumata’s Passing Sparks Reflections on Accountability in the #FukushimaDisaster

Katsumata’s Legacy as “The Emperor” of TEPCO

"Tsunehisa Katsumata, former chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), passed away at age 84 on October 21. Known as the 'Emperor' within TEPCO due to his powerful influence, Katsumata led the company through significant periods, including the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. However, despite his long-standing authority, he left without resolving key decommissioning issues at Fukushima​.

Awareness of Tsunami Risk Without Action

"In February 2009, a critical internal meeting—later known as the 'Gozen Kaigi' (御前会議) —highlighted the risk of a tsunami exceeding the plant’s protective barriers. Despite this, Katsumata refrained from directing immediate countermeasures, even as the potential threat to Fukushima loomed.

Legal Challenges and Unpaid Compensation

"Following the Fukushima disaster, Katsumata and other former executives faced multiple lawsuits, including a landmark shareholder derivative suit that ordered him and three other former executives to pay over 13 trillion yen (around 100 billion USD). Despite this ruling, compensation had yet to be paid by the time of his passing.

"In July 2022, a civil court held TEPCO executives accountable for negligence regarding tsunami countermeasures, noting that if measures had been implemented, the disaster’s impact could have been significantly reduced. This marked the first time former management was deemed financially responsible on such a large scale.

Mixed Reactions to His Death

"The news of Katsumata’s death has triggered complex responses, especially among Fukushima survivors. Many feel unresolved anger, recalling his persistent denial of responsibility during trial testimonies, where he often claimed ignorance on technical matters. Katsumata’s departure symbolizes the long-standing challenges of achieving justice and closure for the victims of Fukushima."

https://fukushima-diary.com/2024/11/former-tepco-chairman-katsumatas-passing-sparks-reflections-on-accountability-in-the-fukushima-disaster/

#NoNukes #TEPCOLied
#TEPCOLies #JGovLies
#FukushimaIsntOver #RethinkNotRestart #JapanPol #NoNukesJapan

So, one of the things my friend in Japan told me via DM is that the prices of peaches were raised -- in an attempt to make them seem more consumer-worthy -- despite that only a few peaches are actually tested for radiation (and also, the Japanese government raised the "safe" level of radiation -- just like we did here in the US)!

Can Overpriced Peaches Convince Us That #Fukushima Is Safe?

Years after a nuclear disaster wiped out Fukushima’s agriculture, peach growers are banking on #Harrods to sell the area’s recovery story

By Kate Graham-Shaw
October 9, 2024

Image: Customers sample peaches from Japan's #FukushimaPrefecture at Harrod's.

Read more: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-overpriced-peaches-convince-us-that-fukushima-is-safe/

Japanese Fearful of Govt-Set Radiation Standards for Food

Suspicions government acting on behalf of producers, not public health

Common Dreams Staff
Mar 01, 2012

As Japan has raised the permitted level of radiation in food by a factor of five, many Japanese are fearful that radiation has contaminated their diet.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2012/03/01/japanese-fearful-govt-set-radiation-standards-food

#NoNukes #TEPCOLied #TEPCOLies #JGovLies #FukushimaIsntOver #FukushimaPeaches #RethinkNotRestart #USPol #JapanPol #RadiationLevels

Good ol' #EPA -- working hard to keep us from knowing what's going on. #RadNet data? It's our secret. #Radiation levels too high? Not anymore! We changed the standard so polluters can go on polluting!

#EPAFail #NRC #RadiationStandards #Consume #RadiationLevels