UPDATE 1-Japan's atomic disaster caused by "collusion" - panel report

* Fukushima preventable "man-made" disaster-panel
* Panel says quake damage cannot be ruled out as a cause
* Plant operator, regulators, prime minister all to blame (Adds analyst comment, detail)
TOKYO, July 5 (Reuters) - Japan's Fukushima nuclear crisis was a preventable disaster resulting from "collusion" among the government, regulators and the plant operator, an expert panel said on Thursday, wrapping up an inquiry into the worst nuclear accident in 25 years.
"The ... Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident was the result of collusion between the government, the regulators and Tepco, and the lack of governance by said parties," the panel said in an English summary of a 641-page Japanese report.
We found a disregard for global trends and a disregard for public safety," the panel said.
Many of the shocking details of the disaster, including operator Tokyo Electric Power Co's (Tepco) failure to prepare for a big tsunami and a chaotic response by the utility and government, have already been made public.
Resource-poor Japan has for decades promoted nuclear power as safe, cheap and clean. Atomic energy supplied nearly 30 percent of electricity needs before the disaster.
Tepco came under heavy criticism in the report, partly for putting cost-cutting steps ahead of safety as nuclear power became less profitable over the years. ($1 = 79.7950 yen)