Chubu Electric Chiefs Quit Over Nuclear Data Fraud — SkimNews
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- Chubu Electric Power commissioned an investigation in January that uncovered falsified earthquake-risk data for its Hamaoka plant's No. 3 and No. 4 reactors, undermining safety reviews for restart applications.
- Kingo Hayashi, president of Chubu Electric Power, plans to resign following an independent panel’s report on Sept 10 that confirmed misconduct in safety data submissions to Japan’s nuclear regulator.
- Satoru Katsuno, the company’s chairman, will also step down alongside Hayashi, taking responsibility for the data falsification scandal, according to NHK’s Sept 13 report.
- Chubu Electric Power is preparing to withdraw its application to restart the Hamaoka reactors, NHK reported on Sept 11, as public and regulatory scrutiny intensifies.
- Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa called the misconduct 'extremely regrettable' on Sept 11 and stated authorities would consider the strictest necessary response against the utility.
- Chubu Electric Power’s shares fell as much as 4.2% after news emerged of the impending withdrawal of restart applications and executive departures.
Why it matters: The resignation of both the president and chairman signals rare top-level accountability in Japan’s tightly regulated energy sector, where past safety lapses have rarely led to leadership consequences. With reactor restarts now likely delayed and regulatory penalties possible, Chubu Electric faces reputational and operational setbacks at a time when Japan is pushing to expand nuclear energy use.
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