Former TEPCO Chairman Katsumata’s Passing Sparks Reflections on Accountability in the Fukushima Disaster

Katsumata’s Legacy as “The Emperor” of TEPCO

Tsunehisa Katsumata, former chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), passed away at age 84 on October 21. Known as the “Emperor” within TEPCO due to his powerful influence, Katsumata led the company through significant periods, including the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. However, despite his long-standing authority, he left without resolving key decommissioning issues at Fukushima​.

Awareness of Tsunami Risk Without Action

In February 2009, a critical internal meeting—later known as the “Gozen Kaigi” (御前会議) —highlighted the risk of a tsunami exceeding the plant’s protective barriers. Despite this, Katsumata refrained from directing immediate countermeasures, even as the potential threat to Fukushima loomed.

Legal Challenges and Unpaid Compensation

Following the Fukushima disaster, Katsumata and other former executives faced multiple lawsuits, including a landmark shareholder derivative suit that ordered him and three other former executives to pay over 13 trillion yen (around 100 billion USD). Despite this ruling, compensation had yet to be paid by the time of his passing.

In July 2022, a civil court held TEPCO executives accountable for negligence regarding tsunami countermeasures, noting that if measures had been implemented, the disaster’s impact could have been significantly reduced. This marked the first time former management was deemed financially responsible on such a large scale.

Mixed Reactions to His Death

The news of Katsumata’s death has triggered complex responses, especially among Fukushima survivors. Many feel unresolved anger, recalling his persistent denial of responsibility during trial testimonies, where he often claimed ignorance on technical matters. Katsumata’s departure symbolizes the long-standing challenges of achieving justice and closure for the victims of Fukushima.

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福島第一原発事故を巡る責任：元東電会長、勝俣恒久氏の死去

「東電の天皇」と呼ばれた勝俣氏の遺産

東京電力の元会長、勝俣恒久氏が10月21日に84歳で亡くなりました。東電社内で「天皇」として知られ、長期間にわたり会社の実権を握っていた勝俣氏は、2011年の福島第一原発事故を経験しましたが、福島の廃炉問題を解決することなく生涯を終えました​。

津波のリスクを認識しながらも対策指示せず

2009年2月、東電内で開かれた「御前会議」において、福島の敷地高を超える津波のリスクが指摘されましたが、勝俣氏は即座に対策を指示することなく、リスクを放置しました​。

法的課題と未払いの賠償金

福島事故後、勝俣氏や他の旧経営陣は株主代表訴訟に直面し、13兆円以上の賠償を命じられましたが、死去するまで賠償金の支払いは行われませんでした​。

2022年7月、裁判所は東電元幹部に津波対策の怠慢があったと認定し、管理責任を追及。適切な対策を講じていれば、事故の深刻度は大幅に軽減されていた可能性があると判断されました。

彼の死に対する福島の被災者の反応

勝俣氏の死去に対して、福島の被災者からは複雑な反応が寄せられています。多くの人が、裁判中に繰り返された責任の否定や、「技術的なことは分からない」といった証言に対して、怒りと失望を抱いています。勝俣氏の死去は、被災者が長年抱える正義と救済の難しさを象徴しています。

Source

Source: https://fukushima-diary.com/2024/11/former-tepco-chairman-katsumatas-passing-sparks-reflections-on-accountability-in-the-fukushima-disaster/