Japan Utility Says Crisis Avoidable

For First Time, Tokyo Electric Says It Didn't Implement Some Safety Measures for Fear of Political, Economic Consequences

Updated Oct. 12, 2012 7:54 p.m. ET

TOKYO—In a stunning reversal, the operator of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi power plant said it knowingly avoided implementing some safety measures for the nuclear plant out of fear of causing lawsuits, protests, or the need to close the plant.

It was the first time that Tokyo Electric Power Co. has admitted that previous errors in judgment contributed to one of the world's worst nuclear accidents last year.

"There was a...

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