Faulty inspections missed 500 spots on reactors

The finding was far more serious than the March 30 announcement by the plantÂ’s operator, Chugoku Electric Power Co, which then said past inspections were faulty at 123 spots.

About 70,000 spots are subject to periodic checks at the Shimane plantÂ’s No.1 and No.2 reactors. Chugoku Electric Power initially reviewed inspections at only about 13,000 spots based on safety priority and said inspections were faulty at the 123 spots.

The latest finding was unearthed in a follow-up review Chugoku Electric Power conducted in line with an industry ministry order, which covered all of the 70,000 spots, the sources said.