Last night, there was an NHK documentary about the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. It included footage of the tsunami sweeping into the town taken by eye-witnesses, including some who were in their cars trying to escape at the time. Horrifying, and yet some miraculous escapes. In places, such as where the stream of water was forced into narrow passageways between buildings, the tsunami reached speeds of 6 m/sec.
There was also a section on TEPCO and Fukushima, with dramatic re-enactments of Kan dealing with TEPCO’s unbelievable request to abandon the Fukushima plant, and Kan’s refusal. Assuming that this account is essentially true, it seems to argue in favour of government supervision of this entity. Yet, I’m not entirely happy with the kind of power that Edano is wielding here.
TOKYO (Nikkei)–Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano on Thursday quickly dashed Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s (9501) hopes of submitting a request soon to hike household power rates.
“Power providers can decide to seek approval (for an increase), but it’s my decision whether to allow it or not,” Edano said at a news conference following a cabinet meeting.
This suggests that Tepco, as the company is known, faces a steep hurdle, especially as Edano and others seek considerable restructuring at the utility as a precondition for allowing it to raise household rates.
via 2011/12/23 05:46 – METI Chief Tells Tepco To Get House In Order First.
