Post-disaster nuclear safety efforts continue
in Japan. Following a recent discovery at
the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant
of 3,000 tons of radioactive water in the
basement of the No. 1 reactor, Japanese personnel
began pumping more water into the reactor
to keep its temperature down. On Saturday,
May 14, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)
officials stated that it could take years
to remove the damaged nuclear fuel rods, which
have mostly melted and fallen to the bottom
of the reactor, where they are submerged in
water. TEPCO also announced continued problems
with reactor No. 3, saying that seawater in
the area still had radioactive cesium 2,300
times the legal limit, indicating that a leak
was still occurring.
As the crisis continues, more residents in
Fukushima Prefecture who live outside the
20-kilometer radius around the troubled power
plant have begun to be evacuated for fear
of radiation effects. About 7,700 residents
of Kawamata and Iitate are being relocated
to public housing and other facilities in
nearby cities, with the more vulnerable expectant
mothers and infants being moved first.
Our appreciation, Japanese officials, experts,
and personnel working wholeheartedly to alleviate
the nuclear crisis. Let us join in securing
the safety of all beings through our gentler
stewardship of the Eart�
