Ex-Tepco executives deserve indictment over Fukushima nuclear crisis, says Tokyo panel

An independent legal panel yesterday called for criminal charges to be brought against three former executives of the Fukushima nuclear plant operator for their role in the 2011 disaster.

The ruling - issued by a judicial review panel composed of ordinary citizens - could ultimately pave the way for an indictment, after prosecutors announced last year that they would not pursue a criminal case.

But about 5,700 people, including Fukushima residents affected by the nuclear crisis, were dissatisfied with the prosecutors' decision and asked the inquest panel to review the case last October.

The new ruling means that prosecutors must reconsider their decision.

Another refusal to indict may end the possibility of charges for the former Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) managers.

But if the panel challenges prosecutors' decision a second time, a group of court-appointed lawyers would then be compelled to lay formal charges under Japanese law.