Japan postpones decision on Tepco compensation scheme

TOKYO: The Japanese government delayed a decision expected on Thursday on a plan to help Tokyo Electric pay compensation for damages from the nuclear crisis in Fukushima and the prime minister said the cabinet would discuss the scheme further on Friday.

"We want to discuss the matter further in the cabinet meeting tomorrow," Prime Minister Naoto Kan told reporters after a meeting with ministers.

Ruling party lawmakers had indicated the government was poised to announce on Thursday a plan that would include the injection of public funds and ensure the troubled utility could avoid an immediate debt default or bankruptcy from a flood of compensation claims from victims of the prolonged crisis.