Japan doubles Fukushima disaster-related cost to 21.5 trillion yen

An aerial view shows Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Daini nuclear power plant in Naraha town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo February 26, 2012. Picture taken February 26, 2012. Mandatory credit Kyodo Kyodo/via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said on Friday it has nearly doubled its projections for costs related to the Fukushima nuclear disaster, including decommissioning and compensation, to 21.5 trillion yen (149.65 billion pounds).

In 2013, the ministry had calculated the cost at 11 trillion yen. The new government projection calls for 7.9 trillion yen to be paid in reparations, compared with the earlier estimate of 5.4 trillion.