The Yomiuri Shimbun
Reactors Nos. 1-4 at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant will never be used again, the chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Wednesday.
The announcement was made at a press conference where TEPCO Chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata spoke in place of company President Masataka Shimizu. "I deeply apologize for causing a great deal of worry to so many people," Katsumata said.
He said the utility will set up an office to provide support for residents who have been affected by the ongoing crisis at the power plant in Fukushima Prefecture.
When asked about compensation for damages to farmers and other businesses caused by problems at the plant, Katsumata said, "The government is helping us prepare the compensation sincerely under a nuclear accident compensation program."
Referring to rolling blackouts, he said TEPCO is trying to increase electricity output. "We'll do everything we can to avoid blackouts," he said.
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TEPCO president hospitalized
Shimizu was admitted to hospital Tuesday evening after suffering from dizzy spells and high blood pressure, TEPCO said Wednesday.
Shimizu, 66, will return to his duties "as soon as his health recovers," TEPCO officials said.
Shimizu was also absent from work from March 16 to 22 due to health problems.
Katsumata, 71, has taken over Shimizu's duties in handling efforts to contain the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
(Mar. 31, 2011)
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