Wensing, M.

Tepco “hesitated because it tried to protect its assets,” said Akira Omoto, a former Tepco executive and a member of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission, an official advisory body involved in the effort to tame the plant. Both Tepco and government officials had good reason not to use saltwater, Mr. Omoto added. Early on, nuclear fuel rods were still under cooling water and undamaged, he said, adding, “it’s understandable because injecting seawater into the fuel vessel renders it unusable.” Tepco spokesman Hiro Hasegawa said the company, “taking the safety of the whole plant into consideration, was trying to judge the appropriate timing to use seawater.

Bid to ‘Protect Assets’ Slowed Reactor Fight - WSJ.com

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