[ramchip]

> who could have expected there'd be a 9.0 earthquake

Your comment makes it sound like the defect had an incidence, but it's specific to reactor 4 alone, and reactor 4 was empty when the earthquake happened. For all we know putting the pressure vessel back in shape may have had little effect on its resiliency.

Still, of course, a very tough choice.

[wtn]

For me, the real story is the cover-up that occurred when he reported his story years ago. He did the right thing in terms of public safety and got called a liar.

[pinko]

Yes, this. An accidental defect may not have an incidence, but you can bet the corruption that led to it being covered up does.