A plan to help Tokyo Electric Power compensate victims of the crisis at Fukushima nuclear plant has been approved by the government of Japan.
The assistance could help TEPCO avoid bankruptcy, but the government insists it is not meant as a bailout.
The BBC reports the crisis has brought TEPCO to the brink of ruin and there has been concern about how the company would pay a massive compensation bill.
Now the government has agreed to help - at a cost reported to be more than $US60 billion.
Under the plan, a state-backed institution will be created from which TEPCO can draw money to pay claims.
In return, the company will be under close government supervision. It will remain listed on the stock exchange, but will use profits to repay the money over a period of years.
TEPCO earlier agreed to drastic restructuring in return for government help.
The conditions include massive cost-cutting, no upper limit for compensation payouts and an investigation of its management.
The BBC reports that other electricity companies with nuclear power stations will also be expected to contribute.
Shares in TEPCO dropped on Friday and were trading about 6% lower at 452 yen. Banking stocks also fell, on fears banks may have to rework their loan agreements with TEPCO.
Thermal power plants
Meanwhile, the company plans to restart two thermal power plants this summer. They have been shut since the earthquake and tsunami on 11 March.
The BBC reports the move is to help avoid power shortages during the peak season for demand.
TEPCO plans to restart the 600 megawatt No 2 unit and 1000 megawatt No 4 unit, both oil-fired, at its Hirono thermal plant, about 20 km south of the Fukushima plant.
A 1000 MW coal-fired unit at Hitachinaka in Ibaraki, north of Tokyo, will also come into operation.
