Japan’s power company ordered to pay damages to Fukushima disaster victims

Japan’s Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Tokoyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) should pay damages to the victims of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

In its ruling, the court ordered TEPCO to pay $12 million to about 3,600 people “whose lives were seriously affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster,” according to Kyodo News.

The order came on an appeal filed by the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. All the four judges unanimously turned down the appeal.

However, the court has yet to decide on the state's responsibility in the nuclear accident. A bench of judges will hear the case next month.