Japan : IAEA report on nuclear crisis says tsunami risk was underestimated

Via Japan Today :

" TOKYO : A group of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency acknowledged in a summary of a report on the Fukushima nuclear crisis that the risks of tsunami were underestimated and called for the independence of nuclear regulatory authorities to be ensured.

The preliminary report submitted Wednesday said Japan’s response was exemplary. However, it added that the tsunami hazard for several nuclear sites was underestimated and called for greater preparation.

The report was handed to Goshi Hosono, a special adviser to Prime Minister Naoto Kan on the country’s worst nuclear accident, which was triggered by the massive March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

“I think there are many constructive suggestions in this report,” said Hosono. “We will read it thoroughly.”

The IAEA team, led by Mike Weightman, the head of Britain’s Office for Nuclear Regulation, plans to present its report at a ministerial meeting on nuclear safety in Vienna from June 20 to 24.

Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for the government’s nuclear safety agency, said Japan hopes to use the IAEA report as a reference in its efforts to contain the nuclear crisis, and in reviewing ways to enhance the country’s nuclear safety in the future."