Overview
- Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan chair Shingo Hayashi resigned effective January 16, announcing the decision at a regular news conference.
- The move follows disclosures that design‑basis ground motion data were improperly set at Chubu Electric's Hamaoka nuclear plant, raising serious safety and compliance concerns.
- Hayashi apologized and said he will focus on investigations, recurrence‑prevention measures, governance improvements, and a comprehensive restructuring of the utility's nuclear division.
- Until a successor is selected, three vice chairs will share duties, with reporting indicating Kansai Electric's Nozomu Mori is viewed as a leading candidate for the top post.
- Hamaoka's restart could face delays due to the misconduct, while TEPCO's Kashiwazaki‑Kariwa Unit 6 remains scheduled to restart on January 20.