Nuclear accident class action proceedings "national responsibility" begins to argue Supreme Court

The Supreme Court hears both sides' claims about the responsibility of the country where the judgments of the two trials were divided in a class proceeding in which people evacuated to various places due to the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station sought compensation from the government and TEPCO. Started on the 15th.

The Supreme Court's unified decision is expected to be announced in the summer as well.

In a class proceeding in which people evacuated to various places seeking compensation from the national government and TEPCO over the nuclear accident, the amount of compensation exceeding the national standard and the responsibility of TEPCO have been confirmed in the four cases filed so far. bottom.

On the other hand, regarding the responsibility of the country, the judgments of the two courts are divided, and the Supreme Court's argument was held for the first time on the 15th in the proceedings of those who evacuated to Chiba prefecture where the responsibility of the country was recognized by the two courts. rice field.

In this, the residents said, "The government had to instruct tsunami countermeasures based on the" long-term evaluation "of the earthquake published by the Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion in 2002. If so, the accident could have been prevented, "he said, claiming that the country was responsible.

In addition, one of the plaintiffs, Tetsuya Omaru (91), who evacuated from Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture to Chiba Prefecture, said, "The nuclear accident polluted the houses, fields, and forests of our ancestors. I lost it. I want you to acknowledge the responsibility of the country that caused the serious accident. "

On the other hand, the government said, "The" long-term evaluation "is unreliable, and the estimation based on it and the actual tsunami were completely different. It was impossible to prevent the accident even if we ordered tsunami countermeasures." Insisted not.

The proceedings of Maebashi, Fukushima, and Ehime are scheduled to be held over the next month, and the Supreme Court's unified decision on national responsibility is expected to be announced in the summer.

Plaintiffs and lawyers "Nuclear power should be the responsibility of the country that allowed it."

After the Supreme Court's argument, the plaintiff and the defense team met and made a statement, Tetsuya Komaru (91) said, "I wanted to hear the feelings of regret that I lost everything in the accident. My thoughts reached the judge. I think it was. "

He then criticized, "There must be a responsibility for the country that allowed the nuclear power plant. I feel it is ridiculous for the country to deny responsibility in the trial."

Attorney Nobu Takizawa of the defense team said, "If the Supreme Court clearly acknowledges the responsibility, the government will make a true apology and it will be a debate about whether the current framework should be used for compensation standards. I don't know how many years it will take. It should be a big first step towards a true recovery from the nuclear accident. I am confident that there will be a ruling that will give hope to nuclear evacuees nationwide. "