Fukushima nuclear accident was 'man-made' disaster

Tokyo: The nuclear accident at Fukushima last year was a "man-made disaster" and not only due to the tsunami, a Japanese parliamentary panel said on Thursday in its final report on the catastrophe.

"Governments, regulatory authorities and Tokyo Electric Power lacked a sense of responsibility to protect people's lives and society," said a summary of the report by the Diet's Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission.

"It is clear that this accident was a man-made disaster.
"According to this commission's study, on March 11, it is believed that the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was in a vulnerable condition with no guarantee it could withstand earthquakes and tsunamis," it said.

"Despite having a number of opportunities to take measures, regulatory agencies and TEPCO management deliberately postponed decisions, did not take action or took decisions that were convenient for themselves."