Don't Skimp on PC Upgrade, Japan Watchdog Tells Fukushima Operator

Facing multi-billion dollar cleanup and compensation bills, TEPCO figured it could save a few yen by delaying an upgrade to its outdated Windows XP operating system.

But an independent auditing watchdog - which usually monitors wasteful tax spending - has warned the vast company over its frugality, saying it must replace the system due to security concerns.

The utility - which was effectively nationalised through a massive government bailout after the 2011 atomic crisis - was hoping to save JPY 3.6 billion ($30 million) by continuing to run about 48,000 computers company-wide on the old operating system until 2018.

Microsoft stopped issuing security updates and technical support for Windows XP last year, aggravating concerns about cyber-security.

"The company decided, on its own initiative, to move up the deadline to update the software due to system security concerns," a TEPCO spokesman said Tuesday.

In a report last month, Japan's Board of Audit warned the company not to be so stingy.