HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

March 30, 2011. Affected reactors to be decommissioned, high radiation detected in seawater off plant, Japanese emperor makes rare public appearance

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

Japan will decommission four stricken nuclear reactors at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture, officials with the Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) company said on March 30th. The announcement came three weeks after the company first began efforts to bring reactors no. 1, 2, 3, and 4 under control. Officials pledged to consult local residents on whether reactor no. 5 and 6 should be closed; these reactors were closed safely. Officials reportedly considered on March 30th whether to cover the reactor buildings at Fukushima Daiichi with special material to stop the spread of radioactive substances. Tepco said it had not been able to cool the reactors and pledged to find a way to stabilize them, announcing it would pay compensation for damages caused by radiation leaks.

Officials reported on March 30th that seawater near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant had reached a higher radiation level than previously reported. Some 300m (984ft) from shore, radioactive iodine levels were 3,355 times the legal limit. Although officials said the readings do not pose an immediate threat to the fishing industry, it is likely to increase concerns both in Japan and abroad about Japanese seafood products. Officials said that "Iodine 131 has a half-life of eight days, and even considering its concentration in marine life, it will have deteriorated considerably by the time it reaches people."

On March 30th, the Japanese government ordered nuclear power plant operators throughout the country to begin implementing new safety measures immediately, including preparing back-up power in case of power supply loss. The measures are to be completed by the end of April 2011.

Emperor Akihito visited an earthquake and tsunami relief center in the Tokyo metropolitan area on March 30th in a rare break from the traditional isolation of Japan's ruling monarchs. It is unprecedented for an emperor to take such public steps, indicating how serious the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis is to the Japanese.