Kyushu Electric Power Co. released the results of an investigation July 14 regarding its attempt to manipulate public opinion on the resumption of operations at its Genkai nuclear power plant in Saga Prefecture.
Kyushu Electric Power Co. released the results of an investigation July 14 regarding its attempt to manipulate public opinion on the resumption of operations at its Genkai nuclear power plant in Saga Prefecture.
The incident took place during a public hearing TV program broadcast June 26. Kyushu Electric instructed 2,900 employees at the company and its affiliates to send pro-nuclear e-mails to the program.
The investigation revealed, of 2,900 employees, 141 sent e-mails. The program received 286 pro-nuclear messages and 163 anti-nuclear messages.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered Kyushu Electric to investigate similar past cases and hire outside experts to determine the causes of the propaganda effort.
The ministry also instructed six other power companies, which organized resident briefing sessions on construction of nuclear power plants in the past five years, to report by July 29 on whether similar campaigns were made.
Kyushu Electric's Saga office also provided sample e-mails of pro-nuclear opinions to its partners, the investigation found.
The samples included, "Solar power and wind power cannot take the place of nuclear power" and "Since adequate safety measures have been implemented, the Genkai plant can resume operations without problems."
The Saga office asked employees at its subsidiaries and partner companies to attend a July 8 meeting for residents in the prefecture. Sixty-three employees of these companies were present at the meeting, or about 20 percent of the audience.
Suspension of operations at the Genkai nuclear power plant was extended after the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.