Chubu Electric Power Co., the operator of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant—widely regarded as Japan's most seismically vulnerable nuclear facility—has admitted to manipulating earthquake safety data during the regulatory review process for restarting two offline reactors. The company selectively presented seismic wave patterns that aligned closest to calculated averages, thereby understating the potential maximum ground shaking at the site. This deliberate alteration was intended to expedite and simplify the stringent safety screening mandated by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA). Company president Kingo Hayashi publicly apologized for the misconduct, acknowledging that such actions could undermine public trust in the entire nuclear power sector.

The revelation emerged after a whistleblower alerted the NRA in February 2025, prompting an investigation that confirmed the data irregularities. A senior NRA official described the incident as "unbelievable," warning that it raises serious doubts about Chubu Electric's eligibility to operate nuclear facilities. In response, Japan's Industry Ministry has directed the company to submit a detailed report by April 6, 2026, outlining the causes of the manipulation and proposed preventive measures. Chubu Electric has formed an independent panel of legal and technical experts to conduct a thorough internal probe into the matter.

The Hamaoka plant has long been a focal point of concern among seismologists due to its location directly above the Nankai Trough, a subduction zone where major earthquakes are anticipated with high probability. Government assessments estimate an 87% chance of a powerful quake striking the region in the coming decades, potentially triggering devastating tsunamis. Prominent seismologist Professor Katsuhiko Ishibashi highlighted these risks as early as 2003, labelling Hamaoka the nation's most dangerous nuclear site. Following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, reactors 4 and 5 were decommissioned, and plans to restart reactor 3 were abandoned.

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The admission has significantly impacted Chubu Electric, with shares dropping 8.2% in trading—the sharpest decline in nearly a year—reflecting investor concerns over regulatory repercussions and delayed restarts. The scandal is likely to further postpone any resumption of operations at Hamaoka, intensifying scrutiny on safety protocols across Japan's nuclear industry.

This incident underscores ongoing challenges in Japan's efforts to revive nuclear power amid heightened post-Fukushima safety standards and persistent seismic threats. Public confidence in nuclear energy remains fragile, and the manipulation case may prompt broader reviews of data integrity in regulatory submissions.

As investigations proceed, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for transparency and rigorous adherence to safety standards in managing high-risk facilities like Hamaoka, where the consequences of failure could be catastrophic for surrounding populations and infrastructure.

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