Hamaoka nuclear operator admits fabricating seismic risk data

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has halted the relicensing process for two reactors at the Hamaoka plant after Chubu Electric Power Co. acknowledged it fabricated seismic hazard data; the company has appointed external lawyers to investigate.

Japan's nuclear regulator announced it has stopped the relicensing process for two reactors at the Hamaoka plant after the plant operator acknowledged fabricating seismic hazard data. The operator, Chubu Electric Power Co., issued a notice describing how staff altered seismic evaluations and said it had appointed an external committee of lawyers to examine the matter. Regulators say a whistleblower alerted them earlier, and the halted evaluation was the step needed before any reactor restart. The Hamaoka site is located on Japan's east coast near a known subduction zone, which is part of why the evaluation was under scrutiny. What is known: - The Nuclear Regulation Authority has suspended the safety evaluation for two Hamaoka reactors. - Chubu Electric Power Co. reported that staff manipulated seismic hazard data used in evaluations and set up an external legal committee to investigate. - Regulators were reportedly alerted by a whistleblower prior to the public announcement. - The suspended evaluation was required before any decision to restart the reactors. Summary: The relicensing process is paused and the operator has launched an independent internal review. The timing leaves the timeline for any restart undetermined at this time.