THE president of a Japanese power firm today admitted that he and other executives received money and gifts worth 320 million yen (RM12.5 million) from a town hosting one of its nuclear plants.

The money and gifts were given over seven years from 2011, and came from the late deputy mayor of Takahama town, where Kansai Electric (Kepco) has a facility.

“I deeply apologise for causing great concern to stakeholders and the public,” Kepco president Shigeki Iwane told reporters.

The admission comes after investigations by tax authorities into the deputy mayor revealed the pay-offs.

“We were afraid that our relationship with the local government would be damaged” if the gifts and money were rejected, said Iwane.

“We had in mind to return them at the right time. We knew they were expensive gifts, and we had to return them one day.”

But, he said, he “would not reveal the details of who received what and when, as the information is private”, adding that some gifts have been returned.

According to local media, tax agency investigations showed that former deputy mayor Eiji Moriyama received a 300 million yen commission from a local construction company hired for projects at the Takahama nuclear plant.

He had reportedly told authorities that he decided to give Kepco officials the cash and gifts as a token of his appreciation.

It is not immediately clear if the firm, which runs the Takahama plant with four reactors in central Fukui prefecture, will face sanctions over the incident.

Before Iwane’s press conference, Trade and Industry Minister Isshu Sugawara said a “thorough probe” is necessary.

“If (the news) is true, it’s an extremely egregious and serious situation. It could shake the trust of communities where nuclear plants are located.” – AFP, September 27, 2019.