'Japan underestimated tsunami threat'

The UN nuclear watchdog today said Japan underestimated the tsunami hazard to nuclear plants and that regulators must be independent but also praised the country's disaster response as "exemplary".

The UN nuclear watchdog on Wednesday said Japan underestimated the tsunami hazard to nuclear plants and that regulators must be independent but also praised the country's disaster response as "exemplary".

"The tsunami hazard for several sites was underestimated," said an IAEA fact-finding mission in a report it handed to Japan's government.

"Nuclear plant designers and operators should appropriately evaluate and protect against the risks of all natural hazards, and should periodically update those assessments and assessment methodologies."

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