Ichiro Takekuro, a former vice president at Tokyo Electric Power Co., enters the Tokyo District Court in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward in this June 30, 2017 file photo. (Mainichi/Kimi Takeuchi)

TOKYO -- A former vice president at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear station operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) told a court here on Oct. 19 that it was "natural" for the utility to put tsunami countermeasures at the plant on hold while it consulted experts.

Ichiro Takekuro, 72, is under indictment on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury over the nuclear disaster that broke out after tsunami hit the Fukushima Daiichi plant in March 2011. His testimony at the Tokyo District Court backed fellow defendant Sakae Muto, 68, who made the decision on the tsunami countermeasures.

TEPCO estimated in March 2008 that tsunami waves up to 15.7 meters high could hit the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, based on a long-term evaluation made by the government's Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion in 2002. While being aware of the company's estimate, Muto put tsunami countermeasures on hold in July 2008 and instructed subordinates to ask experts to evaluate the reliability of the long-term evaluation.

A key point of contention in the trial is whether the Muto's decision constituted "postponement" of countermeasures.

Sakae Muto, a former vice president at Tokyo Electric Power Co., enters the Tokyo District Court in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward in this June 30, 2017 file photo. (Mainichi/Kimi Takeuchi)

Muto told earlier court hearings that he had informed Takekuro in August 2008 of the company's maximum tsunami height estimate. However, Takekuro told the Oct. 19 hearing that he had no recollection of that, adding that he heard the estimate from another subordinate sometime in April or May 2009.

With regard to the government's long-term evaluation, Takekuro said, "I heard that it wasn't supported by specific proof. I thought thorough discussion was necessary if there were unclear factors," again justifying Muto's decision.

As to TEPCO's estimation that 15.7-meter tsunami waves could hit the power station, Takekuro said he "didn't feel any sense of urgency."

Takekuro is standing trial along with Muto and former TEPCO President Tsunehisa Katsumata, 78, over the nuclear crisis.

Prosecutors had abandoned indicting the three. However, court-appointed lawyers indicted them after a prosecution inquest panel deemed twice that they deserved to stand trial.