Fukushima Daiichi NPS Prompt Report 2014

Applauds 'Seven Samurai' approach to water management

TOKYO, October 29, 2014- Dr. Dale E. Klein, the former head of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission who now chairs the international group monitoring TEPCO's progress in the Fukushima cleanup and in reforming its safety practices, praised the company for its progress and challenged it to do more.

His remarks came in an address here to the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

'Seven Samurai'

"An important page has been turned," Klein told the group, as the work at Fukushima has now shifted from the initial emergency response to the long-term work of decontamination and decommissioning. Work in the new phase includes the safe and successful removal of nuclear fuel from Unit 4, and progress toward cleanup of the other three reactors that were damaged by the 2011 tsunami.

In particular, Klein noted progress in dealing with the persistent and complex challenges posed by groundwater, rainwater, and cooling water coming into contact with nuclear contamination. He said TEPCO's strategy in using seven different systems together to purify water is a good illustration of how a more effective safety culture - one that depends on multiple layers and "defense in depth" rather than on just one technology - is being embraced.

"The 'Seven Samurai'," Klein said, using a symbolic name for the seven systems whose providers include the U.S. company Kurion, "represent significant progress in putting in place a comprehensive and sustainable water management plan." He went on to express his appreciation to U.S. companies like Kurion, as well as the U.S. Department of Energy, for joining the international effort to collaborate on the Fukushima cleanup.

Klein observed that the progress at Fukushima is partly attributable to TEPCO's establishment in April of a distinct entity with sole focus on the Fukushima cleanup. That entity, he said, "is providing the focus, leadership, and skills that are uniquely needed at Fukushima Daiichi, and its workers are to be commended for its accomplishments and for their commitment to meeting the challenges ahead."

Deeper Safety Culture, More Robust KPIs Needed

Despite the significant progress, Klein said, TEPCO must do still more. The company's new safety culture must be transmitted and embraced further down the chain of command, he said, down to front-line supervisors and workers. This is important, he said, so that individual workers feel free to speak up, identify problems, and propose solutions.

And, he said, TEPCO needs to adopt and employ meaningful "key performance indicators" (KPIs) so that it can measure whether the various new processes it has adopted are producing the necessary results.

Hirose Remarks

In his remarks to the group, TEPCO President Naomi Hirose thanked Dr. Klein and the other members of the Nuclear Monitoring Reform Committee for their contributions, and expressed his appreciation for the collaboration of so many American and other international organizations in the cleanup and revitalization of Fukushima.

Text of Dr. Klein's speech is available at http://www.nrmc.jp/en/news/detail/index-e.html#date_20141029-103000.

Overview material of the seven treatment facilities is obtained at:
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/nu/fukushima-np/handouts/2014/images/handouts_141016_04-e.pdf

About TEPCO

Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO) is Japan's largest power company, supplying energy to the greater Kanto area, including Japan's two most populous cities, Tokyo and Yokohama. Its 35,000 employees are committed to providing safe, reliable power to its 29.0 million customers, diversifying energy resources to ensure sustainability, and contributing to economic growth while fully meeting its responsibilities after the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
TEPCO website: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html
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