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Revision as of 18:56, 27 March 2011

The Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Kan, visited the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant for a briefing on 12 March 2011.[1] He has been frequently quoted in the press, calling for calm and minimizing exaggerated reports of danger.[2] A nuclear emergency was declared by the Government at 19:03 on 11 March. Later, Prime Minister Naoto Kan issued instructions that people within a 20 km (12 mile) zone around the plant must leave, and urged that those living between 20 km and 30 km from the site should stay indoors.[3][4]

Assessment and requests for help

The Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Kan, visited the plant for a briefing on 12 March 2011.[5] He has been frequently quoted in the press, calling for calm and minimizing exaggerated reports of danger.[6] Prime Minister Kan met with Tokyo Electric Power Company on 15 March and lamented the lack of information. According to press accounts, he bluntly asked, "What the hell is going on?"[7] Secretary Edano about 18 March stated, "We could have moved a little quicker in assessing the situation."[8]

The Japanese government asked the United States to provide cooling equipment to the plant. As of 15 March, the U.S. had provided 3,265 kilograms (7,198 lb) of "special equipment", a fire truck,[9] to help monitor and assess the situation at the plant.[10][11]

The French nuclear accident response organization Groupe INTRA has shipped some of its radiation-hardened mobile robot equipment to Japan to help with the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.[12] So far, 130 tonnes of equipment has been shipped to Japan.[12]

Evacuations

Fukushima I and II Nuclear Accidents Overview Map showing evacuation and other zone progression and selected radiation levels

After the declaration of a nuclear emergency by the Government at 19:03 on 11 March, the Fukushima prefecture ordered the evacuation of an estimated 1,864 people within a distance of 2 km from the plant. This was extended to 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) and 5,800 people at 21:23 by a directive to the local governor from the Prime Minister, together with instructions for residents within 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) of the plant to stay indoors.[13][14] The evacuation was expanded to a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) radius at 5:44 on 12 March, and then to 20 kilometres (12 mi) at 18:25, shortly before ordering use of sea water for emergency cooling.[13][15]

The Guardian reported at 17:35 JST on 12 March that NHK advised residents of the Fukushima area "to stay inside, close doors and windows and turn off air conditioning. They were also advised to cover their mouths with masks, towels or handkerchiefs" as well as not to drink tap water.[16] Air traffic has been restricted in a 20-kilometre (12 mi) radius around the plant, according to a NOTAM.[17] The BBC has reported as of 22:49 JST (13:49 GMT) "A team from the National Institute of Radiological Sciences has been dispatched to Fukushima as a precaution, reports NHK. It was reportedly made up of doctors, nurses and other individuals with expertise in dealing with radiation exposure, and had been taken by helicopter to a base 5 km from the nuclear plant."[18]

Evacuations were also ordered around the nearby Fukushima II (Daini) plant. Residents within 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) were ordered to evacuate at 07:45 on 12 March, again with instructions for those within 10 km to stay indoors. Evacuation was extended to 10 km by 17:39.[13] A journalistic investigation was stopped 60 kilometres (37 mi) from the plants by police.[19] Over 50,000 people were evacuated during 12 March.[20] The figure increased to 170,000–200,000 people on 13 March, after officials voiced the possibility of a meltdown.[21][22]

On the morning of 15 March, the evacuation area was again extended. Prime Minister Naoto Kan issued instructions that any remaining people within a 20 km (12 mile) zone around the plant must leave, and urged that those living between 20 km and 30 km from the site should stay indoors.[23][24] A 30 km no-fly zone has been introduced around the plant.[citation needed]

U.S. military dependent-family dog is unloaded off an evacuation flight from Japan

On 16 March, the U.S. Embassy advised Americans in Japan to leave areas within "approximately 50 miles" (80 km) from the plant. Gregory Jaczko, the chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said before the United States Congress, believing the Japanese government was not telling the full story, "We would recommend an evacuation to a much larger radius than has currently been provided by Japan."[25] Spain advises to leave an area of 120 km, Germany advises to leave even the metropolitan area of Tokyo, and South Korea advises to leave farther than 80 km and plans to evacuate by all possible means.[26][27] Travel to Japan is very low, but additional flights are chartered to evacuate foreigners. Official evacuation of Japan was started by several nations.[28] The US military expects to voluntarily evacuate over 7000 family dependents from Japan,[29] and has moved ships under repair away from Japanese ports.[30]

Of 90 bedridden patients moved from a hospital in the town of Futaba-machi, a sample of three patients were tested and shown to have been exposed to radiation. The patients had been waiting outdoors for rescuers before being moved by helicopter at the time an explosion happened.[31][32]

On 25 March, residents in the 30 kilometer circle were urged to leave their houses as well.[33]

Statements on meltdown possibility

In a press conference, the chief spokesman of the Japanese nuclear authorities was translated into English as having said that a nuclear meltdown may be a possibility at Unit 1.[34] Toshihiro Bannai, director of the international affairs office of Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety, in a telephone interview with CNN, stated that a meltdown was possible.[34][35] However, the Japanese prime minister soon indicated that a nuclear meltdown was not in progress and emphasized that the containment of Unit 1 was still intact. After the statement, the government added that the claim of a meltdown had been mistranslated.[34] The temperature inside the reactor was not reported, but Japanese regulators said it was not dropping as quickly as they wanted.[36] At 12:33 JST on 13 March 2011, the Chief Cabinet Secretary of the Japanese government, Yukio Edano, was reported to have confirmed that there was a “significant chance” that radioactive fuel rods had partially melted in Unit 3 and Unit 1, or that "it was 'highly possible' a partial meltdown was underway".[22] “I am trying to be careful with words ... This is not a situation where the whole core suffers a meltdown”.[37] Soon after, Edano disclaimed that a meltdown was in progress. He stated that the radioactive fuel rods had not partially melted and he emphasized that there was no danger for the health of the population.[38][39] Cabinet Secretary Edano later said that there were signs that the fuel rods were melting in all three reactors. "Although we cannot directly check it, it's highly likely happening".[40]

Accident rating

Radiation releases during the initial hydrogen explosions

The severity of a nuclear accident is rated on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES). This scale runs from 0, indicating an abnormal situation with no safety consequences, to 7, indicating an accident causing widespread contamination with serious health and environmental effects. The Chernobyl disaster is the only level 7 accident on record, while the Three Mile Island accident was a level 5 accident.

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency initially rated the situation at Unit 1 below both of these previous accidents; on 13 March it announced it was classifying the event at level 4, an "accident with local consequences".[41] On 18 March it raised its rating on Unit 1 to level 5, an "accident with wider consequences", and also assigned this rating to the accidents at Units 2 and 3. It classified the situation at Unit 4 as a level 3 "serious incident".[42]

The Wall Street Journal reported on 25 March that authorities were considering raising the event to level 6, a "serious accident," one level above the Three Mile Island accident, and second only to Chernobyl.[43] On the same day, Asahi Shimbun supported this upgrading, based on the amount of radioactive contamination.[44][45]

Several parties have disputed the Japanese classifications, arguing that the situation is more severe than they are admitting. On 14 March, three Russian experts stated that the nuclear accident should be classified at Level 5, perhaps even Level 6.[46] One day later, the French nuclear safety authority ASN said that the Fukushima plant could be classified as a Level 6.[47] As of 18 March 2011, the French nuclear authority—and as of 15 March 2011, the Finnish nuclear safety authority—estimated the accidents at Fukushima to be at Level 6 on the INES.[48][49] On 24 March, a scientific consultant for Greenpeace, working with data from the Austrian ZAMG[50] and French IRSN, prepared an analysis in which he rated the total Fukushima I accident at INES level 7.[51]

Business reaction

In financial markets, the plant operator TEPCO's shares halved in value as it dropped over four consecutive trading days, before rising again on Thursday.[52] Japan's Nikkei 225 stock index fell 6% on Monday. The Nikkei then plunged another 11% on 15 March after the government warned of elevated radiation risks.[53] On 16 March the index recovered 5.7%.[54] On Friday 18 March at 10 am Tokyo time, the G7 group of nations began an unprecedented coordinated currency market intervention to stabilize the value of the yen above 80 JPY/USD.

Some foreign firms (SAP, Dow Chemical, IKEA, BNP Paribas, H&M and so on) have a reshuffle of the staff in Tokyo to Osaka or other countries. And some embassies (Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark) also reshuffles to Osaka, other embassies make some staff repatriat. Some airlines (KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and Alitalia) change destination from Narita airport to Kansai airport for a while.[55][56] [57]

Financial liability

Under Japanese law[58] the operator is liable for nuclear damage regardless of culpability except in cases of exceptionally grave natural disasters and insurrection. Government spokesman Edano said this exception would be "impossible under current social circumstances".[59]

Reactor operation is prohibited unless the operator concludes a private contract of liability insurance as well as an indemnity agreement with the government for damage not covered by private insurance. An amount of coverage of 120 billion yen per installation is required.[60] The Japan Atomic Energy Insurance Pool does not cover damage caused by earthquakes and tsunamis.[61] If damage exceeds the amount of coverage, the government may give the operator the aid required to compensate the damage, if authorized by the Japanese Diet.[62]

References

  1. ^ "Kan inspects quake-hit nuclear plant in Fukushima". Kyodo News. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  2. ^ "Japanese nuclear plant hit by fire and third explosion", The Guardian, 15 March 2011.
  3. ^ Richard Black. "BBC News – Japan quake: Radiation rises at Fukushima nuclear plant". BBC News. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  4. ^ "Japan's PM urges people to clear 20-km zone around Fukushima NPP (Update-1) | World | RIA Novosti". En.rian.ru. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  5. ^ "Kan inspects quake-hit nuclear plant in Fukushima". Kyodo News. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  6. ^ "Japanese nuclear plant hit by fire and third explosion", The Guardian, 15 March 2011.
  7. ^ Halloran, Liz. "Nuclear Information Gap Spreads Doubt, Fear". NPR. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  8. ^ Rayner, Gordon. "Japan still racing against the clock". Telegraph. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  9. ^ "Frantic cooling efforts continue". joongangdaily. 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  10. ^ Takahara, Kanako, and Kazuaki Nagata, "Meltdown looks more imminent", Japan Times, 16 March 2011, p. 1.
  11. ^ "The Canadian Press: Obama defends use of nuclear energy despite calamity in Japan". AP (Canada). 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  12. ^ a b "Work on Fukushima Daiichi power connections". World Nuclear News. 21 March 2011.
  13. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference nisa313 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference bwokada was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ "Blast destroys part of Japan nuclear plant". CBC.ca. 12 March 2011.
  16. ^ Glendinning, Lee. "Japan tsunami and earthquake – live coverage | World news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. UK. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  17. ^ "Pilot information for Sendai Airport". 12 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  18. ^ "Radioactive emergency team dispatched". NHK World. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  19. ^ Black, Richard (12 March 2011). "Japan earthquake: Explosion at Fukushima nuclear plant". BBC News. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  20. ^ Joe Weisenthal (4 March 2011). "Fukushima Nuclear Plant". Businessinsider.com. Retrieved 12 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Text "12 March 2011, 4:08 am" ignored (help); Text "194,758" ignored (help); Text "259" ignored (help)
  21. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  22. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference wp-partial was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  23. ^ Richard Black. "BBC News – Japan quake: Radiation rises at Fukushima nuclear plant". BBC News. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  24. ^ "Japan's PM urges people to clear 20-km zone around Fukushima NPP (Update-1) | World | RIA Novosti". En.rian.ru. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  25. ^ Sanger, David E.; Wald, Matthew L.; Tabuchi, Hiroko (17 March 2011). "U.S.: Reactor may spew radiation". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  26. ^ Cite error: The named reference inquirer1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  27. ^ Cite error: The named reference koreaherald1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  28. ^ Cite error: The named reference comparecarhire1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  29. ^ Mass, Chief. "Military Families Arrive in Seattle from Japan". Navy.mil. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
  30. ^ Font size Print E-mail Share 18 Comments By David Martin (2011-03-21). "Pentagon weighs pullout from Japan hot zone - CBS Evening News". CBS News. Retrieved 2011-03-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "10,000 missing in Japanese town | News.com.au". news.com.au. 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  32. ^ "Japan: At least 3 exposed to radiation in nuclear station explosion – Israel News, Ynetnews". ynetnews.com. 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011. The three residents were among a group of some 90 patients hospitalized in the town of Futaba-machi, and were chosen at random by doctors for tests linked to the nuclear incident, the public broadcaster NHK reported. (AFP)
  33. ^ Cite error: The named reference evac was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  34. ^ a b c Tom, Watkins (13 March 2011). "Official: 'We see the possibility of a meltdown'". CNN. Retrieved 13 March 2011. "There is a possibility, we see the possibility of a meltdown," said Toshihiro Bannai, director of the agency's international affairs office
  35. ^ "Japan earthquake: Meltdown may be occurring, Japanese nuclear official says". Los Angeles Times. 27 February 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  36. ^ Donn, Jeff; Yamaguchi, Mari (13 March 2011). "Japan quake causes emergencies at 5 nuke reactors". MSNBC. Associated Press. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  37. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  38. ^ "Government: No meltdown in Japanese nuclear plant". Monsters and Critics. 13 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  39. ^ "Water injected into Fukushima reactor". The Japan Times Online. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  40. ^ "Japanese Officials: Nuclear Fuel Rods Appear to be Melting in 3 Reactors". NationalJournal.com. 14 March 2011.
  41. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  42. ^ Richard Black. "BBC News - Japan earthquake: Fukushima nuclear alert level raised". BBC News. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  43. ^ "At a Glance: Crisis Rating, Worker Injuries, Death Toll Tops 10,000". 25 March 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  44. ^ Cite error: The named reference japanlevel6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  45. ^ "Radiation from Fukushima exceeds Three Mile Island". Asahi. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
  46. ^ Shuster, Simon. "Fire at Fourth Reactor: Is Worse Yet to Come in the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster?". Time Magazine.
  47. ^ Maitre, Marie. "UPDATE 1-French nuclear agency now rates Japan accident at 6". Reuters. Retrieved 16 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ "UPDATE 1-French nuclear agency now rates Japan accident at 6". Reuters. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  49. ^ "STUK: Fukushiman turman vakavuus jo kuutosluokkaa" (in Finnish). Helsingin Sanomat. 15 March 2011.
  50. ^ Spread of Radioactivity/first "source estimates from CTBTO data". ZAMG. 22 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  51. ^ Greenpeace analysis: FUKUSHIMA ACCIDENT ALREADY INES LEVEL 7 Greenpeace
  52. ^ "The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc.: TYO:9501 quotes & news - Google Finance". Google. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  53. ^ Tokyo Shares Plunge 13% The Wall Street Journal 15 March 2010
  54. ^ "Japan's Nikkei 225 rebounds as economic concerns ease", BBC News -
  55. ^ 駐日大使館や外資系企業、帰国勧告や日本西部に避難 Nikkei newspaper 16 March 2011
  56. ^ 大阪のホテルに予約殺到、外資系幹部の避難用か Yomiuri newspaper 18 March 2011
  57. ^ 成田から関空へ発着便振り替え　航空会社 Mainichi newspaper 19 March 2011
  58. ^ Act No. 147 of 1961 原子力損害の賠償に関する法律, English Act on Compensation for Nuclear Damage, Section 3
  59. ^ Natural disaster exemption not to apply to Tokyo Electric: Edano, 25. März 2011
  60. ^ Act No. 147 of 1961, Section 7
  61. ^ Natalie Obiko Pearson and Carolyn Bandel. "Atomic Cleanup Cost Goes to Japan's Taxpayers, May Spur Liability Shift". Bloomberg. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  62. ^ Act No. 147 of 1961, Section 16
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