Japan's Supreme Court issued a final decision on March 5, confirming the acquittals of two former senior executives of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO). They faced charges of negligence linked to the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant disaster occurring in March 2011. The ruling supported lower court decisions that concluded the executives, Ichiro Takekuro, 78, and Sakae Muto, 74, could not have reasonably predicted the enormous tsunami responsible for triggering the devastating triple nuclear meltdown.
On March 11, 2011, Takekuro and Muto were serving as vice presidents at TEPCO when the catastrophic tsunami, generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake, struck the nuclear plant, culminating in power loss and severe damage. They were charged with professional negligence causing death and injury, specifically related to the deaths of 44 individuals, including hospital patients evacuated from nearby Futaba Hospital. These individuals reportedly lacked adequate medical support following evacuation.
Former TEPCO Chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata was also indicted through forced measures; however, he passed away in October last year at 84, leading to an end to his proceedings and leaving his previous acquittal intact.
The charges were not originally pursued by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. It was through citizen intervention that forced indictments against the executives took place in February 2016, after a citizen review panel twice demanded prosecution. Court-appointed lawyers assumed prosecutorial responsibilities during the legal process.
The prosecution argued that TEPCO's leadership could have anticipated the scale of a tsunami and should have implemented stronger protections or seawall structures to prevent plant flooding. Prosecutors cited a 2002 government seismic analysis, which led TEPCO engineers in 2008 to estimate a possible tsunami height reaching 15.7 meters.
However, the Tokyo District Court cast doubt on the accuracy of this prediction, ruling in 2019 that while improvements could theoretically have reduced risks, it remained uncertain if any such preventive measures could have been fully prepared before the 2011 disaster. The court noted that to realistically avoid the accident, the executives would have needed to shut down plant operations by March 2011. Such a decision would have carried a heavy economic burden, only justified by reliable forecasts of a tsunami surpassing 10 meters, predictions which, according to the court, could not have been reliably made.
Ultimately, the Tokyo High Court agreed with these findings in 2023, paving the way for this recent confirmation by the nation's highest court.
10 Comments
Michelangelo
This is a day for reflection. We should learn from the mistakes of the past and prevent future tragedies.
Leonardo
This is why people lose faith in the justice system. The powerful always get away with it.
Raphael
This is a positive step forward for Japan. We need to focus on rebuilding and moving on from the disaster.
Donatello
Unbelievable! They had warnings about the tsunami but did nothing. This is corporate negligence at its worst.
Leonardo
Disgraceful! How can executives walk free after the deaths of 44 people? This is a miscarriage of justice!
BuggaBoom
This is a reminder that we should not blame individuals for natural disasters. The earthquake and tsunami were acts of God.
Loubianka
This is a victory for common sense. The executives could not have predicted the tsunami.
Katchuka
This is a reminder that we are stronger than we think. We will overcome this tragedy and build a better future.
Noir Black
Shame on the courts! They put profit over people's lives. This sends a dangerous message to corporations.
KittyKat
This is a tragedy for the victims and their families. We will never forget them.