Japan to help TEPCO pay victims

TOKYO - Japan's government agreed on a plan on Friday to ensure that the operator of crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant can meet the massive costs of compensating people affected by the crisis.

The plan involves establishing a fund financed by both public money and contributions from utilities that will provide financial support to Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), which expects to face a deluge of damage claims in the wake of the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986.

Also on Friday, the operator of the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in central Japan began the process of shutting down its reactors as part of an agreement with the government to temporarily suspend operations until it strengthens tsunami protections.