As Japan prepares to bring reactors back online, utility admits flaws worsened tsunami crisis

TOKYO – The operator of the Japanese nuclear plant devastated last year by a tsunami has issued a final report on the disaster, outlining organizational and communication problems that have not yet been resolved.

The report Wednesday by Tokyo Electric Power Co. comes as Japan prepares to restart its first nuclear reactors since the March 11, 2011, disaster led to a nationwide shutdown of atomic generating plants. Many Japanese remain deeply concerned about the safety of nuclear power.

Last year’s earthquake and tsunami severely damaged four reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant north of Tokyo, triggering meltdowns and radiation leaks. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated. It could be decades before some areas around the plant are safe for habitation.