IAEA called on Japan to reform nuclear safety

Japan's response to the incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is " admirable " but the risks of the tsunami have been underestimated , concluded by the Nuclear Energy Agency (IAEA) in a report by a group of 18 IAEA experts sent to Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

According to the report, Tokyo did not appreciate the tsunami risk even though the Fukushima Daiichi Plant is located near a broken sealine. The wave wall of the factory is only less than 6m high, while the tsunami hits the factory up to 14m high.

Workers of Tokyo Electric Power Company spray chemicals into Fukushima Daiichi Plant
to prevent spreading radiation (Photo: Reuters)

IAEA experts say Tokyo needs to rethink how to build, operate and manage nuclear power facilities, including reforming the entire regulatory system for nuclear power management. One of the key points is the appointment of independent nuclear safety monitoring officials with the nuclear power development agency. In Japan, the Nuclear Safety Agency is under the Ministry of Industry - a nuclear power development agency.

The IAEA team also suggested that Japan build stronger operating centers in nuclear power plants to ensure that all activities take place effectively in case of emergency situations.

Japan also needs to establish a long-term plan to clean up radiation in Fukushima Prefecture to bring 80,000 people to evacuate to return home. Tokyo also needs to closely monitor the health status of workers at the Fukushima Daiichi Plant, as well as the residential community in Fukushima Prefecture.

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