WHO: Japan’s prime minister on Sunday criticized the country’s nuclear safety agency for allegedly trying to plant questions aimed at supporting atomic energy at public forums.

WHAT: Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency was siding with the industry rather than acting as a regulator. He said it underscored a cozy relationship and the deep-rooted problem that must be corrected in the wake of the March 11 tsunami and the nuclear crisis.

WHY IT’S OUTRAGEOUS: Kan’s comment followed a government report showing NISA allegedly tried to manipulate public opinion at town meetings to promote nuclear power. Public support toward nuclear energy has shifted since the March disaster that crippled the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.