The country’s prime minister Naoto Kan has said radiation levels on the east coast have “risen considerably”. People living less than 20km from the complex, which is 250km (155 miles) north of Tokyo, have been told to leave the area. Tens of thousands of residents have already been evacuated from the zone. Chief cabinet secretary Yukio Edano told the press conference that the levels are high enough to damage people’s health. Those living within a 20 to 30km radius of the plant are being urged to stay indoors.
Tokyo radiation Updates: Current: levels 23 times normal 15/03/2011 06:38 GMT
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — Radiation levels in Tokyo surged to 23 times normal on Tuesday, according to reports that cited readings released by the Tokyo metropolitan government. Radiation levels of .809 micro severts were recorded in central Tokyo at 10.00 a.m. local time (9.00 p.m. U.S. Eastern time), reports said. Southerly winds are believed to be pushing a radioactive plume from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which lies about 150 miles north of Tokyo.
Japan’s Nikkei slumps 10.6% on radiation fears
Japanese shares plunged Tuesday on panic-selling over worries that radiation from a damaged nuclear reactor would further complicate and endanger the nation’s recovery from its worst-ever earthquake on record Friday. The benchmark Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NI225 8,605, -1,015.34, -10.55%), which fell more than 14% at one point during the session, ended 10.6% to 8,605.15 for its biggest percentage fall since late 2008;
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International Atomic Energy Agency says radioactivity released into atmosphere following explosion at Fukushima one nuclear plant
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