The president and chairman of Chubu Electric Power are set to step down following a major scandal involving the manipulation of earthquake risk data. The company is also expected to halt plans to restart two reactors at its Hamaoka plant.

  • Chubu Electric Power President Kingo Hayashi and Chairman Satoru Katsuno will resign.
  • The company admitted to submitting underestimated earthquake risk data to regulators.
  • Restart plans for two reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear plant face cancellation.
  • The scandal occurs as Japan attempts to revive nuclear energy for carbon neutrality.

A major leadership shakeup is looming at Chubu Electric Power, one of Japan's key nuclear plant operators. Following revelations of a data-tampering scandal regarding seismic risks, the company's top executives are expected to resign, according to local media reports on September 14, 2026.

Public broadcaster NHK has reported that President Kingo Hayashi and Chairman Satoru Katsuno will step down from their positions. The scandal surfaced after it was revealed that the firm submitted data to regulators that significantly underestimated the potential intensity of earthquakes in the region. Consequently, the company is reportedly preparing to withdraw its application to restart two reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear plant.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this scandal strikes at the heart of Japan's strategic energy pivot. As the nation seeks to meet the massive energy demands of Artificial Intelligence and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the revival of nuclear power is seen as essential. However, this breach of trust threatens the political and social capital required to restart the nuclear fleet.

Manipulating seismic data is not just a regulatory failure; it is a fundamental compromise of public safety in a high-risk tectonic zone.

An independent panel's 250-page report highlighted a toxic corporate culture, noting that management's intense pressure on staff to expedite the restart review process contributed to the misconduct. This is particularly alarming given that the Hamaoka plant is situated near the Nankai Trough, an area under constant watch for a potential 'megaquake'.

Historical Background

The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi meltdown, triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami, fundamentally altered Japan's energy landscape. For over a decade, the country moved away from nuclear power due to safety concerns. Recently, however, the push for energy security and the need to reduce fossil fuel dependence have led to a renewed focus on atomic energy, including the restart of the world's largest plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa.

Did You Know?: The Nankai Trough is a subduction zone off the coast of Japan that experts warn could produce a massive earthquake at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What exactly was the 'data-tampering' scandal?
Answer: The company provided regulators with underestimated estimates of maximum seismic ground motion, which is critical for earthquake-resistant design.

Question 2: Where is the Hamaoka plant located?
Answer: It is located in Omaezaki, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan.