AS THE ground beneath the Japanese city of Kashiwazaki shook on 16 July, barrels toppled and a transformer caught fire at the largest nuclear power plant in the world, and nearly 1300 litres of radioactive coolant leaked into the Sea of Japan.
Accusations flew almost immediately with some people criticising the Tokyo Electric Power Company – which operates the plant and has been known to cover up past accidents – for being slow to report the damage. Others blamed lax regulations governing the quake-proofing of nuclear plants, or claimed its location was poorly chosen.
The Japanese government has invited the International Atomic…
