Fukushima executives ordered to pay $97 billion in damages

Former executives of the Fukushima nuclear power plant's operator have been ordered to pay 13 trillion yen (£80 billion) for failing to prevent a disaster. Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) executives were sued by shareholders following the 2011 meltdown caused by a tsunami. The court determined that the executives could have avoided the accident if they had exercised reasonable caution.

Tepco apologised but declined to comment on the legal proceedings. "We deeply apologise for the enormous burden and deep concern that the accident at Tepco Holdings' Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is causing local residents and society at large," a statement said.

Plaintiffs exited the Tokyo court with banners proclaiming "shareholders win" and "responsibility recognised." Their lawyers claimed it was the largest sum of compensation ever awarded in a civil lawsuit in Japan.They admitted that 13 trillion yen was "far beyond" the former bosses' ability to pay, but the plaintiffs expect the men to pay whatever their assets allow.

"A single nuclear power plant accident causes irreversible damage to both human lives and the environment. The executives of companies that operate such plants bear enormous responsibility that is incomparable to that of other companies," one of the plaintiffs, Yui Kimura, stated