Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) has filed an official request with Pokemon Go smartphone app developer Niantic to change the game’s settings so that no virtual Pokemons appear within the premises of any of the company’s nuclear power plants.
The move was conducted after TEPCO said it has detected at least one Pokemon character in one of its three power plants — the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi plant, the Fukushima Daini plant and the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in Niigata Prefecture, Sankei Shimbun reported. The company refused to reveal information on exactly which of the three plants the Pokemon was detected at, stating safety precaution reasons.
TEPCO further announced that it has instructed its employees not to play the game within any of its power plants.
In justification of its request, TEPCO stated a recent case when Pokemon Go players trespassed on the grounds of a nuclear power plant in the U.S. in search of Pokemons.
Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori told a news conference that it is “dangerous” if game players try to enter nuclear power plants or evacuation zones designated after the March 11 triple disaster, “as part of the game,” and that it is important for the prefecture to develop a concrete plan calling for increased attention on the matter, Sankei reported.
Meanwhile, Japan Railway (JR) and 23 private railway companies nationwide have also contacted Niantic urging the company to remove any virtual characters from stations, platforms and tracks, fearing an increase in accidents.
© Japan Today
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nath
NOW they care about safety? haha
papigiulio
Common sense. Not sure why Niantic didn't remove sensitive locations from their system beforehand. Locations like railways, highways, shinkansentracks and yeah nuclear reactors.
Alex Einz
no, they just dont want people to find out things they been covering up
Argus Tuft
I believe the original Japanese release date for Pokemon Go was intended to be much later than it ended up being, so as to give Google the time work out where they could and couldn't have pokemon randomly generate. It ended up being a surprise success overseas that they moved up the launch date.
randomnator
TEPCO cares, who knew?
smithinjapan
" The company refused to reveal information on exactly which of the three plants the Pokemon was detected at, stating safety precaution reasons"
hahaha... Caught red-handed playing the game, that's the only ways they could "detect" it. And since when does TEPCO care about safety? They just want the sites taken off because they don't want people being reminded of disaster if TEPCO's name is associated with it.
Peter Qinghai
They have every right to have them removed. Although, I believe some establishments have worked out deals with the company running P-Go as a source of new customers.
David Varnes
Are they perhaps a Nucleon or a Hazma?
smithinjapan
Argus Tuft: " Ibelieve the original Japanese release date for Pokemon Go was intended to be much later than it ended up being, so as to give Google the time work out where they could and couldn't have pokemon randomly generate. It ended up being a surprise success overseas that they moved up the launch date."
No, the delay was due to server issues. Hence it was being promised every day successively last week, but they couldn't do it until Friday. Obviously Thursday didn't see removed any sites that were on there Wednesday.
How did TEPCO detect the Pokemon, Pres tel? I like how the next sentence says it forbade players from playing after the detection.
sighclops
@Peter Qinghai
Yep - like Pikachu apparently being in Shinjuku Gyoen (which has an admission fee).
dcog9065
Sounds like a publicity stunt by TEPCO. If they are unable to manage their operations without virtual pokemon on their premises, they have much more serious problems to think about
smartacus
I don't know why people are criticizing TEPCO. They are right. Nuclear power plants are no place for people playing Pokemon. I think we are going to see a lot more places, such as temples, parks, World Heritage Sites, etc, ask for their sites not to be included in the game.
gokai_wo_maneku
What a lame brain idea to put these Pokemon characters in a game where you are walking around with your nose burried in your "smart" phone. That is an accident waiting to happen. Or accidents.
DarkKnghtZ
You have to be within a certain radius of where the pokemon would "spawn" to even see it on the map. There is no way in hell someone, unless there were already inside the premises, would even realize one was there.
kurisupisu
No problem for Pokemon though, they are radiation proof!
gokai_wo_maneku
The news tonight showed kids using their Pokemon Go game in the Hiroshim Peace Park. The Hiroshima Atomic Dome was in the background. They say that is not appropriate for such a place. On the other hand, they did get kids to go to the Peace Park. Now a Russian holds the world record for the number of monsters captured. I'm not a gamer, so what?
Disillusioned
I have a further request. How about removing Pokemon Go characters from all of Japan? That would solve the problem.
Black Sabbath
I don't understand. Places like Starbucks and Ford supposedly pay to get some Pokemon prize-thingy in there shops. Y'know, advertising. And others just get it for nothing?
I'm confused.
Another thing: I saw it the other day. The graphics were....not good.
Fadamor
Why stop there? Let's remove all public commentary from the internet. That would stop the problem of rude, ignorant, or otherwise unsavory comments being made.
Public places received Pokestops and Gyms were placed apparently randomly. Around here (Virginia) it appears ALL places of worship received a Pokestop at the entrance. The downside is things like there's a Gym located along a stretch of 6-lane divided highway with only a man-made pond with fountains as the "Location". For those that want a Pokestop/Gym, they can have it added for a small fee. If they don't want the one they have, they can have it removed for no fee.
I assume you're talking about the map? They're using Google Maps which is basic anyways.