Number 11

Focusing on ESG Could Prevent Disasters Like Fukushima

How much liability should company directors bear for extremely unlikely but extremely damaging accidents? Yoichiro Hamabe critiques a recent Tokyo High Court decision that excuses directors of liability for the devastating Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown of 2011. He argues that imposing a heightened duty of care in high-risk sectors like nuclear power could encourage company directors to pay more attention to environmental risks and community safety, ultimately preventing disasters like Fukushima.