Masao Yoshida, who headed the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, died of cancer, according to a July 9 posting on the website of its owner, Tokyo Electric Power Co.

Masao YoshidaHe served as onsite crisis manager at the facility following the March 11, 2001 earthquake and tsunami that resulted in the worst nuke disaster since the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986.

Tepco president Naomi Hirose expressed condolences to the family and friends of Yoshida, who "led workers to take action against the accident, literally prepared to give his life."

Noting that Yoshida was diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the end of 2011, Hirose is "filled with deep regret that we are no longer able to work together towards the rebirth of Tepco."

A Tepco spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal that the company believes the possibility of radiation having had an effect on Yoshida's illness was very low.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies is providing communications counsel and media monitoring for Tepco via the utility's legal counsel.

H+L Washington staffers including Rebecca Fannin, Carley Hummel, Natalie Giordano, Katherine Boettrich, Steve Getzug, Peter Morscheck and Natalie Waltz handle the work.

There is no direct contact between H+K and Tepco.