Japanese governor admits trying to manipulate opinion on controversial nuclear plan

[kristopher]

Hokkaido governor admits gov't attempt to manipulate opinion on 'pluthermal' plan

SAPPORO -- Hokkaido Gov. Harumi Takahashi has admitted the prefectural government's involvement in Hokkaido Electric Power Co.'s alleged attempt to manipulate public opinion on a "pluthermal" plan at its nuclear plant.

Takahashi told a prefectural assembly session on Nov. 29 that she has "decided to accept" a third party fact-finding panel's report, which concludes that an official who headed the prefectural government's nuclear safety division was involved in the case.

When the power supplier's third party panel initially pointed to the possibility of the prefectural government's involvement, the governor categorically denied the allegations saying, "That's absolutely impossible."

...Even though she stopped short of specifying punitive measures against top officials including herself, sources with the prefectural government said she is considering cutting her salary.

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Astroturfing! What a concept.