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On March 26, 2011, two dozen Diet members signed a letter calling on the government to "immediately get young children and pregnant women out of the 30-km danger zone around the heavily damaged Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant". The statement also called for "extending the current 20-km mandatory evacuation zone radically to avoid further exposure and discontinuing official declarations that there is no immediate harm to human health, charging they aren't properly transmitting to the public the dangers of possible long-term radiation harm". The statement, drawn up by antinuclear groups, is to be delivered to Prime Minister Naoto Kan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110326b3.html |title=Get kids, pregnant women well clear of nuke zone: politicians |author=Eric Johnston |date=March 26, 2011 |work=Japan Times }}</ref>
On March 26, 2011, two dozen Diet members signed a letter calling on the government to "immediately get young children and pregnant women out of the 30-km danger zone around the heavily damaged Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant". The statement also called for "extending the current 20-km mandatory evacuation zone radically to avoid further exposure and discontinuing official declarations that there is no immediate harm to human health, charging they aren't properly transmitting to the public the dangers of possible long-term radiation harm". The statement, drawn up by antinuclear groups, is to be delivered to Prime Minister Naoto Kan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110326b3.html |title=Get kids, pregnant women well clear of nuke zone: politicians |author=Eric Johnston |date=March 26, 2011 |work=Japan Times }}</ref>

On March 31, an anti-nuclear activist attempted to drive into the radiation-leaking Fukushima I complex, and later crashed through a locked gate at the Fukushima II power plant.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/03/gate-crasher-drives-around-2nd-fukushima-complex-after-failing-at-crippled-plant/1 |title=Activist crashes gate at 2nd Fukushima nuke facility; failed at crippled plant |author=Michael Winter |date=March 31, 2011 |work=USA Today }}</ref>


===Financial liability===
===Financial liability===

Revision as of 03:19, 1 April 2011

The Fukushima I nuclear accidents at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant following the 11 March 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami resulted in responses from the government, companies and other organizations in Japan as well as evacuations of the area surrounding the plant. 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.[1][2] The latter groups was also urged to evucuate on 25 March.[3] The Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Kan, visited the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant after the earthqake[4] and has been frequently quoted in the press, calling for calm and minimizing exaggerated reports of danger.[5] Several parties have disputed the Japanese classification of the severity of the accident, arguing that the situation was more severe than they were admitting.

Assessment and requests for help

Naoto Kan, Prime Minister of Japan, visited the plant for a briefing on 12 March 2011.[4] He has been frequently quoted in the press, calling for calm and minimizing exaggerated reports of danger.[5] 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?"[6] Secretary of Government Yukio Edano stated around 18 March, "We could have moved a little quicker in assessing the situation."[7]

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,[8] to help monitor and assess the situation at the plant.[9][10]

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.[11] So far, 130 tonnes of equipment has been shipped to Japan.[11]

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.[12][13] 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.[12][14]

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.[15] Air traffic has been restricted in a 20-kilometre (12 mi) radius around the plant, according to a NOTAM.[16] 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."[17]

Over 50,000 people were evacuated during 12 March.[18] The figure increased to 170,000–200,000 people on 13 March, after officials voiced the possibility of a meltdown.[19][20]

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.[21][22] 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."[23] Spain advised to leave an area of 120 km, Germany advised to leave even the metropolitan area of Tokyo, and South Korea advised to leave farther than 80 km and plans to evacuate by all possible means.[24][25] Travel to Japan is very low, but additional flights are chartered to evacuate foreigners. Official evacuation of Japan was started by several nations.[26] The US military expects to voluntarily evacuate over 7000 family dependents from Japan,[27] and has moved ships under repair away from Japanese ports.[28]

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.[29][30] On 25 March, residents in the 30 kilometer circle were urged to leave their houses as well.[3]

On 30 March 2011, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovered 2 million becquerels of radioactive substances per square meter in Iitate, Fukushima, 40 km northwest of the Dai-ichi reactor. The finding is double the organization's limit to prompt an evacuation. The IAEA immediately recommended that the evacuation area be expanded, but Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said that the government would only consider doing so if the high-levels of radiation continued.[31]

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.[32] 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.[32][33] 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.[32] The temperature inside the reactor was not reported, but Japanese regulators said it was not dropping as quickly as they wanted.[34] 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".[20] “I am trying to be careful with words ... This is not a situation where the whole core suffers a meltdown”.[35] 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.[36][37] 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".[38]

Business reaction

In financial markets, the plant operator TEPCO's shares fell 62% in the four days following the accident, then started a 14% recovery.[39] However, by 29 March, TEPCO shares had fallen further, reaching a 34-year low.[40] The Japanese National Strategy Minister suggested nationalizing TEPCO on 28 March, in response Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano denied that approach was being considered.[41]

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.[42] On 16 March the index recovered 5.7%.[43] 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 (including SAP, Dow Chemical, IKEA, BNP Paribas, and H&M) have moved staff from Tokyo westward to Osaka or to other countries, as did some Tokyo embassies (including those of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark) reshuffles to Osaka. Some airlines (KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and Alitalia) changed destinations from Tokyo's Narita airport to Kansai airport in western Japan for some period afterward.[44][45] [46]

Protests

There have been various anti-nuclear protests in Japan.[47] On 27 March 2011, at least 1000 people attended the monthly demonstration of the Japan Congress Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs in Tokyo after advertising on social network sites.[48]

On March 26, 2011, two dozen Diet members signed a letter calling on the government to "immediately get young children and pregnant women out of the 30-km danger zone around the heavily damaged Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant". The statement also called for "extending the current 20-km mandatory evacuation zone radically to avoid further exposure and discontinuing official declarations that there is no immediate harm to human health, charging they aren't properly transmitting to the public the dangers of possible long-term radiation harm". The statement, drawn up by antinuclear groups, is to be delivered to Prime Minister Naoto Kan.[49]

On March 31, an anti-nuclear activist attempted to drive into the radiation-leaking Fukushima I complex, and later crashed through a locked gate at the Fukushima II power plant.[50]

Financial liability

Under Japanese law[51] 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".[52]

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.[53] The Japan Atomic Energy Insurance Pool does not cover damage caused by earthquakes and tsunamis.[54] 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.[55]

Response to the IAEA

On 30 March, Denis Flory, IAEA deputy director general and head of the agency's nuclear safety and security department, said readings from soil samples collected in Iitate indicate that one of the IAEA operational criteria for evacuation is exceeded there. On 31 March, In response to the IAEA, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Thursday the government may implement measures, if necessary, such as urging people living in the area to evacuate, if it is found that the contaminated soil will have a long-term effect on human health. Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, told a press conference in the afternoon that the agency's rough estimates have shown there is no need for people in Iitate to evacuate immediately under criteria set by the Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan.[56] The Japanese government declined recommendation of IAEA.

See also

References

  1. ^ Richard Black. "BBC News – Japan quake: Radiation rises at Fukushima nuclear plant". BBC News. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ a b "Japan steps up nuclear plant precautions; Kan apologizes". L.A. Times. 25 March 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Kan inspects quake-hit nuclear plant in Fukushima". Kyodo News. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  5. ^ a b {{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/15/japan-nuclear-plant-third-explosion%7Ctitle=Japanese nuclear plant hit by fire and third explosion|work=The Guardian|date=15 March 2011
  6. ^ Halloran, Liz. "Nuclear Information Gap Spreads Doubt, Fear". NPR. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  7. ^ Rayner, Gordon. "Japan still racing against the clock". Telegraph. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  8. ^ "Frantic cooling efforts continue". joongangdaily. 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  9. ^ Takahara, Kanako, and Kazuaki Nagata, "Meltdown looks more imminent", Japan Times, 16 March 2011, p. 1.
  10. ^ "The Canadian Press: Obama defends use of nuclear energy despite calamity in Japan". AP (Canada). 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Work on Fukushima Daiichi power connections". World Nuclear News. 21 March 2011.
  12. ^ a b http://www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/files/en20110313-3.pdf Seismic Damage Information (19th press communicate released by NISA on 08:30 13 March 2011).
  13. ^ Inajima, Tsuyoshi; Okada, Yuji (11 March 2011). "Japan Orders Evacuation From Near Nuclear Plant After Quake". Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  14. ^ "Blast destroys part of Japan nuclear plant". CBC.ca. 12 March 2011.
  15. ^ Glendinning, Lee. "Japan tsunami and earthquake – live coverage | World news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. UK. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  16. ^ "Pilot information for Sendai Airport". 12 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  17. ^ "Radioactive emergency team dispatched". NHK World. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  18. ^ 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)
  19. ^ Associated, The. "The Canadian Press: IAEA says 170,000 people evacuated from area near damaged Japan nuclear plant". Google. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  20. ^ a b Mufson, Steven (13 March 2011). "Japanese nuclear plants' operator scrambles to avert meltdowns". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  21. ^ Richard Black. "BBC News – Japan quake: Radiation rises at Fukushima nuclear plant". BBC News. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ Foreigners stream out of Tokyo Inquirer Headlines
  25. ^ Seoul ready to send planes, ships to evacuate its citizens from Japan Korea Herald
  26. ^ US evacuates nationals from Japan Travel News
  27. ^ Mass, Chief. "Military Families Arrive in Seattle from Japan". Navy.mil. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
  28. ^ 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)
  29. ^ "10,000 missing in Japanese town | News.com.au". news.com.au. 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  30. ^ "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)
  31. ^ Takahara, Kanako, and Kazuaki Nagata, "High radiation found outside no-go zone", Japan Times, 1 April 2011, p. 1.
  32. ^ 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
  33. ^ "Japan earthquake: Meltdown may be occurring, Japanese nuclear official says". Los Angeles Times. 27 February 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  34. ^ Donn, Jeff; Yamaguchi, Mari (13 March 2011). "Japan quake causes emergencies at 5 nuke reactors". MSNBC. Associated Press. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  35. ^ "Japan battles to stop nuclear catastrophe". Financial Times. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  36. ^ "Government: No meltdown in Japanese nuclear plant". Monsters and Critics. 13 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  37. ^ "Water injected into Fukushima reactor". The Japan Times Online. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  38. ^ "Japanese Officials: Nuclear Fuel Rods Appear to be Melting in 3 Reactors". NationalJournal.com. 14 March 2011.
  39. ^ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/tepco-shares-rebound-after-crashing-more-than-62-2011-03-17 Tepco shares rebound after crashing more than 62%
  40. ^ http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20110329a5.html Tepco stock plunges to 34-year low
  41. ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/29/us-tepco-nationalisation-idUSTRE72S0E220110329 Japan government mulls Tokyo Electric nationalization - media
  42. ^ Tokyo Shares Plunge 13% The Wall Street Journal 15 March 2010
  43. ^ "Japan's Nikkei 225 rebounds as economic concerns ease", BBC News -
  44. ^ 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
  45. ^ 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
  46. ^ 成田から関空へ発着便振り替え　航空会社 Mainichi newspaper 19 March 2011
  47. ^ Rupert Wingfield (25 March 2011). "Anti-nuclear protests take place in Japan". BBC News.
  48. ^ "Anti-nuclear activists march through Tokyo". Euronews. March 27, 2011.
  49. ^ Eric Johnston (March 26, 2011). "Get kids, pregnant women well clear of nuke zone: politicians". Japan Times.
  50. ^ Michael Winter (March 31, 2011). "Activist crashes gate at 2nd Fukushima nuke facility; failed at crippled plant". USA Today.
  51. ^ 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
  52. ^ Natural disaster exemption not to apply to Tokyo Electric: Edano, 25. März 2011
  53. ^ Act No. 147 of 1961, Section 7
  54. ^ Natalie Obiko Pearson and Carolyn Bandel. "Atomic Cleanup Cost Goes to Japan's Taxpayers, May Spur Liability Shift". Bloomberg. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  55. ^ Act No. 147 of 1961, Section 16
  56. ^ "Radiation Level In Seawater Hits New High Near Fukushima Plant" Nikkei.com. 31 March 2011 JST. Retrieved GMT 31 March 2011.
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