The general shareholders meeting of Tokyo Electric Power Company was held today. Regarding the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture, some shareholders proposed to shut it down, but this was rejected by a majority, and the company asked for understanding in favor of restarting the plant.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings President Tomoaki Kobayakawa
“We are moving forward with efforts to restart (the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant). Ensuring safety will be our top priority, and we will steadily implement each initiative.”
TEPCO President Kobayakawa made these remarks at the general shareholders’ meeting, calling for understanding for the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant.
However, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant faces issues such as evacuation plans in the event of a nuclear accident and a natural disaster occurring at the same time, and at the general meeting some shareholders proposed to shut it down, arguing that “nuclear power plants are not suitable for Japan, where earthquakes occur.” In the end, the proposal was rejected by a majority.
From the shareholders…
Shareholders
“If safety cannot be guaranteed, then it should never be done. I think there must have been other forms of energy other than nuclear power.”
“We need to supply more electricity. I want them to work towards getting the (nuclear power plant) up and running while thinking about the future.”
TEPCO and the government are aiming to restart the plant, but distrust of TEPCO remains deep-rooted in Niigata Prefecture, and it remains unclear whether consent can be obtained.
Source: Japanese