Editor's Note: This is part of IEEE Spectrum's ongoing coverage of Japan's earthquake and nuclear emergency.
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has been notoriously close-mouthed about the details of operations at the crippled Fukushima Dai-1 nuclear power plant. Last week, however, the company broke the trend and released a video report from within the grounds of the ruined power station. The video includes an apology from the plant's general manager, Masao Yoshida, who formally bows to the camera.
Yoshida has become something of a folk hero in Japan based on reports that he insisted on continuing seawater injections to the core of reactor No. 1 on the second day of the accident, despite a government order to halt. It's not clear how accurate those reports are—the government may not have issued a firm order, but may rather have simply raised concerns—but regardless, Yoshida deserves the veneration. By all accounts, he has worked tirelessly to stabilize the nuclear power plant, and his staff respects him enormously.
Watch the video below to see Yoshida's apology and his general address about progress at Fukushima Daiichi. The video also includes information about the plant workers' health and safety, as well as updates on the water-filtration system that is now in operation and reactor coverings that are being installed.
VIDEO: TEPCO