Japan consumers may bail out nuke plant owner --Government looks at tax hikes to pay for damages, rebuild quake-stricken region 19 Apr 2011 Japanese consumers would be on the hook for nuclear damage payments and earthquake reconstruction costs under two tax plans the government is considering, officials said Tuesday. The Kyodo News agency said one plan would raise electricity customers' charges to help cover claims against Tokyo Electric Power Co. from people who suffer losses from the crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.