Fukushima nuclear accident a 'man-made' disaster: probe

TOKYO - Agence France-Presse

Ohi nuclear power plant's No. 3 rector, right, stands next to No. 4 reactor in Ohi town, Fukui prefecture, western Japan, Monday morning, July 2, 2012. AP Photo

The nuclear accident at Fukushima last year was a "man-made disaster" and not only due to the tsunami, a Japanese parliamentary panel said today 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."