On the committee for disputes solution on the atomic damages in Japan. The legal scheme and the guideline-making about the damages from the accident of Fukushima Daiichi Atomic Power Stations

Fukushima Daiichi accident did much damage on agriculture, fisheries and others, and also damage related with evacuation on surrounding affected residents. To cope with this situation, Committee for Disputes Solution on the Atomic Damages was established in April and the overall guideline as the basis on which Tokyo Electric Power Co. should pay compensation to the affected persons, was issued on August 5, 2011. This article overviewed special scheme derived from Act on Compensation for Nuclear Damage requiring absolute and unlimited liabilities of nuclear operators and its amendment following the JCO accident and others. And then activities of Committee for Disputes Solution on the Atomic Damages to decide the guideline and its contents were outlined. It would be quite important for the government to establish legal payment scheme of compensation that one nuclear operator could not pay by itself and to implement prompt measures toward prevention of damage expansion and promotion of restoration. Bill concerning formation of a nuclear damage compensation support organization was enacted on July 28 and it would ensure prompt payment of damage compensation to affected persons. (T. Tanaka)