METI warns TEPCO over damage cover-ups.

TOKYO, Oct. 1 Kyodo

(EDS: RECASTING WITH ANNOUNCEMENT)

Industry minister Takeo Hiranuma on Tuesday issued a written warning to Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) to prevent a recurrence of the damage cover-ups at nuclear reactors, but stopped short of filing a criminal charge.

Also, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said the same day TEPCO, Tohoku Electric Power Co., Chubu Electric Power Co. and Japan Atomic Power Co. should have reported defects in reactors they recently unveiled earlier to the government.

It took issue as the signs of cracks in coolant water piping reported Sept. 20 by TEPCO and the two other utilities are …