Japan Official Ordered Fake E-Mails, Investigators Say

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

KYOTO, Japan — Investigators concluded Thursday that a nuclear plant operator that tried to manipulate public opinion with fake e-mails was acting under instructions from a high-ranking local government official, adding a new twist to a scandal that has hampered Japan’s efforts to restart idled nuclear reactors after the Fukushima disaster.

An independent investigative committee found that the governor of Saga prefecture told the operator, Kyushu Electric Power, to send e-mails supporting the restart of two reactors at the company’s Genkai Nuclear Power Station. The company has already admitted to ordering employees to pose as regular citizens by sending e-mails during an online town hall-style meeting in June over whether to allow the restart of the reactors.

Despite the company’s admission, the committee did not accuse the governor, Yasushi Furukawa, of asking officials to send e-mails masquerading as coming from the public, but only of asking it to send e-mails. Mr. Furukawa has denied requesting any faked e-mails, saying a Kyushu Electric vice president misunderstood his remarks during a private meeting earlier in June.

Mr. Furukawa’s deliberations over whether to allow the restart have been the focus of national attention because his decision could sway other local leaders facing similar decisions about restarting reactors in their districts.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/world/asia/09japan.html

[Badsam]

1. Corporations telling elected official what to say and do? Go figure

[Poll_Blind]

2. Can we count on them not to ship us contaminated goods?

I don't think so.

We buy too much shit from Japan & China, anyway. Americans buying American would mean higher prices but hopefully higher-quality goods. Or at least not radioactive ones.

PB