On September 26, 2002, the 2002 NSnet Seminar entitled "Crisis Management and Communication" was held at the Otemachi Sankei Plaza, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Approximately 270 people attended from members, related companies and groups, and from among the general public.
At this seminar, the intellectuals and journalists were invited to discuss the activities of NSnet to date aiming to share and improve safety culture and regain confidence in the entire nuclear industry as well as measures to improve the safety and reliability of nuclear power in the 21st century. The seminar was organized so that the proposals can be put into practice on an ongoing basis.

Presentation

The seminar began with an opening remarks from Mr. Noboru Makino, president of NSnet regarding the problems concerning The Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. (TEPCO), preparation of a report on ethics programs of U.S. companies, and actual activities of NSnet.

Next, Mr. Atsuyuki Sassa, former Director General for Cabinet Security Affairs Office, gave a keynote speech entitled "Crisis Management in a Turmoil."
During the speech, he spoke about the "difference between safety management and Crisis Management," "national Crisis Management systems," and so on.

Panel discussion
"Crisis Management and Communication -- New Dimension of Nuclear Policies --"

Then, Mr. Nobuhiko Shima, Journalist and TV Commentator, chaired a panel discussion on the theme: "Crisis Management and Communication -- New Dimension of Nuclear Policies --"

Panel Discussion

Mr. Shima, Mr.Sassa , Dr. Yasumasa Tanaka, Professor Emeritus, Gakushuin University, Ms. Midori Miyazaki, Associate Professor, Chiba University of Commerce, and Mr. Hiroshi Matsumura, Board Director, The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. joined the discussion.
There was a brisk discussion about the TEPCO problems, nuclear issues after September 11, and Crisis Management in the entire nuclear industry.

The following represent the main opinions generated in the panel discussion:

- The nuclear industry itself might fall into a crisis unless we go back to the basics and endeavor to regain confidence. The public recognize the necessity of nuclear power stations, though they have anxieties over them. It is necessary to disclose information and establish a mechanism of security.

- Employees in the area of engineering should endeavor to give society at large easy-to-understand explanations.

- The TEPCO problems caused anxieties to all residents around nuclear power stations. It is necessary to endeavor to buy anxieties and sell peace of mind.

- In the present information society, accidents cannot be concealed forever and concealing accidents leads to loss of confidence. It is necessary to disclose information at the onset of an accident and indicate to society that self-purification is at work.

- It is necessary to consider flexibility to cope with changes in the Establishment and how to develop strategies and human resources so as to prevent the collapse of the nuclear industry.

- "Being safe" and "feeling safe" are different. It is necessary to let the people "know even if they do not understand," rather than "not informing them because they will not be able to understand."

- Public relations targeting the younger generation are necessary because the means of obtaining information are changing, for example, how to use the media in the digital network era.

- The national government should present its vision about future energy policies and make them public.