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2d ago

Tokyo High Court Overturns 13.3 Trillion Yen Verdict Against Former TEPCO Executives

Plaintiffs will appeal to Japan’s Supreme Court in response to judges’ finding that the tsunami behind the 2011 Fukushima meltdown was unforeseeable

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'Take responsibility for the Fukushima nuclear accident!' a plaintiffs' banner said
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Overview

  • The high court reversed a 2022 ruling that had held four former TEPCO executives liable for damages totalling 13.3 trillion yen, the largest civil award in Japanese history.
  • Judges concluded that the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami could not have been predicted based on information available before March 2011.
  • The original award was intended to fund decommissioning of reactors, compensation for affected residents and cleanup of radioactive contamination.
  • Shareholders had claimed executives ignored studies recommending measures such as relocating backup generators to higher ground to guard against flooding.
  • By appealing to the Supreme Court, plaintiffs aim to keep alive questions over corporate accountability and the future of nuclear safety oversight in Japan.