"Japan will sack three top energy officials over their handling of the Fukushima atomic disaster and scandals that have fuelled public mistrust in the country's nuclear policy, the government said Thursday.

Banri Kaieda, the minister of economy, trade and industry, told a press conference that he was planning a sweeping staff changes at his powerful ministry, which both promotes and regulates the nuclear industry.

Kaieda said the reshuffle aimed to "breathe new life" into the ministry.

He signalled that the changes will include his ministry's top bureaucrat, a vice minister, and the heads of the ministry's Agency for Natural Resources and of the watchdog body the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency."

AFP had the story August 4, 2011.
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SEE ALSO:

"Japan to Lift Evacuation Order Around Damaged Nuclear Plant" (ENS)
[3]
"Japan To Announce New Nuclear Watchdog" (Reuters)
[4]
"Record Radiation Levels at Fukushima Nuclear Plant" (IPS)
[5]
"Pockets Of High Radiation Remind Of Fukushima Plant Danger" (Reuters) [6]

"Japan To Fire Top Nuclear Officials Over Fukushima Crisis" (AP) [7]

"Japan Passes Law Supporting Stricken Nuclear Plant’s Operator" (New York Times)
[8]
"Japan's Radiation Scare To Hit Beef Output" (Reuters) [9]

"Law on Nuclear Disaster Compensation Is Enacted" (Japan Times/Kyodo) [10]