TOKYO – A panel investigating Japan's nuclear disaster says the ex-prime minister and his aides caused confusion at the height of last year's crisis by interfering in the Fukushima plant's operation.
Panel member Shuya Nomura said Saturday that Naoto Kan's aides made numerous calls to the plant, often asking basic questions, distracting workers and causing more confusion.
The parliament-appointed panel also revealed that Fukushima Dai-ich's operator considered evacuating all but 10 workers.
Other investigations have said operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. wanted to withdraw all staff from the plant but Kan ordered them to keep working.
About 70 workers eventually managed to bring the plant under control.
The panel will release a full report later in June.
