December 1995: Eight tonnes of molten sodium coolant leak from an
experimental fast breeder reactor in western Japan. An investigation reveals
that managers doctored a videotape of the accident to hide the extent of the
damage.
March 1997: Two fires break out, 10 hours apart, in barrels containing
low-level radioactive waste at Tokaimura. Thirty workers are exposed to
radiation. Seven maintenance staff are later found to have been out playing
golf.
August 1997: Rainwater is discovered seeping into a storage pit containing
drums of high-level waste at the Tokaimura plant. A government investigation
later shows that Donen (the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development
Corporation) had cut £5 million from the budget for constructing and
maintaining the pit.
May 1998: Donen is disbanded and replaced by Genden (Japan Atomic Power
Company). However, most Donen staff and offices are retained by Genden.
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July 1999: 20 tonnes of radioactive coolant water leak from a crack in a
cooling pipe at the Tsuruga power station, northwest of Tokyo.
