Legacy of Leadership: The Untold Trial of Tsunehisa Katsumata

Tsunehisa Katsumata, the former chairperson of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, has died at 84. He was responsible for the emergency response during the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Katsumata faced legal battles accused of negligence and insufficient preventive measures, with trials still pending at his death.

Tsunehisa Katsumata, the former chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, has passed away at age 84. Katsumata was a pivotal figure during the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, leading emergency response efforts amidst unprecedented challenges.

In 2011, a catastrophic magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck the Fukushima Daiichi plant, resulting in triple meltdowns. Katsumata stepped up after the company's then-president resigned, guiding TEPCO through its darkest hours. His subsequent legal journey saw him as a defendant in high-profile lawsuits scrutinizing TEPCO's alleged negligence.

Katsumata's legacy is marred by ongoing lawsuits, with a pending Supreme Court case where he pleaded not guilty to negligence charges. Despite past acquittals, Katsumata, alongside fellow executives, was ordered in a 2022 civil trial to pay 13 trillion yen in damages. Today, Fukushima Daiichi's decommissioning remains a complex and lengthy endeavor.

(With inputs from agencies.)