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How Bad is Japan's Latest Nuclear Setback?

The situation at Japan’s damaged nuclear plants in Fukushima remains volatile and dangerous, as workers struggle to control radiation leaking from the reactors and cool the nuclear cores.

by James M. Acton

published by

MSNBC

on March 25, 2011

Source: MSNBC

Speaking on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, Carnegie’s James Acton explained that Japan is still facing a “volatile and dangerous situation” with its nuclear reactors in Fukushima, damaged by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The Japanese government has advised residents within 19 miles of the damaged reactors to evacuate, but Acton explained that with over 500,000 people already displaced by the earthquake and tsunami, new evacuees do not have good options if they choose to leave their homes.

Overall, Acton explained, the situation at Japan’s nuclear plants remains extremely fluid and could change on a day by day basis. The crisis, he warned, could be resolved in days or it could drag on for weeks.

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.