Niigata prefectural assembly demands separation of nuclear safety regulatory agency from ministry

In an effort to prevent accidents and mishaps at the nation's nuclear power plants, the Niigata Prefectural Assembly on July 11 adopted a unanimous resolution calling for the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency to be separated from the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade.

The resolution entitled, "A call for the separation of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency and other measures to establish the safety and credibility of nuclear power plants", made the following points:

- The state regulatory authority has long been unable to detect misconduct by proprietors because of the inability of the existing nuclear safety regulatory regime to give full attention to its functions.

- The people's trust in nuclear power generation reflects trust in the state, which is in the position of regulating and guiding nuclear power plant operators.

- Separation of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency from the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade is essential to improving and strengthening the safety regulatory regime and restoring the people's trust. (end)