Nuclear autumn in Japan

The Tokai-Mura accident has shocked the Japanese society and made it fully aware of important failures in the organization of nuclear safety. 3 technicians received lethally radiation doses, about 50 others were less irradiated, 300000 people living in the nearby area were panic stricken when they were told to stay at home, and insufficient or inefficient rescue operations were launched. An inquiry has revealed that the cause of the accident was human irresponsibility: botched job and not-followed safety regulations. In France 75% of about 500 yearly-listed incidents originated in human factors. (A.C.)