Chubu Electric Withdraws Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant Applications

Japan-based Chubu Electric Power Company has announced that it will withdraw its restart applications for units 3 and 4 of the Hamaoka nuclear power plant after an independent committee revealed that employees manipulated earthquake data under pressure from senior management.

Withdrawal of Hamaoka Plant Applications

Japanese utility company Chubu announced its decision to withdraw the regulatory review applications currently underway for units 3 and 4 of the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Shizuoka Prefecture.

The company applied to the Nuclear Regulation Authority for safety evaluations years ago, and the units have been undergoing processes to comply with new standards.

Independent Committee's Earthquake Data Review

An independent committee of outside experts, established to ensure transparency, submitted its investigative report to Chubu's management.

According to the report, certain departments, feeling pressure from senior management due to delays in the restart schedule, made potential earthquake ground motions appear lower than they actually were.

History of Data Manipulation and Warnings

The committee determined that the falsification of data began around 2012 at the latest, and stated that whistleblowing reports received in 2019 and 2021 were ignored by senior management.

The company stated that serious doubts had arisen regarding the reliability of the application documents and that continuing the current applications was no longer appropriate.

Management Reforms and High-Level Resignations

Following these events, President and CEO Kingo Hayashi and Chairman of the Board Satoru Katsuno announced they would resign as of September 30 to take responsibility.

Company director Minoru Yasui will take over the presidency starting October 1, and the corporate culture and oversight mechanisms will be restructured.