Japan Nuclear Crisis: Fukushima Plant

TOKYO — A blueprint for ending radiation leaks and stabilizing reactors at Japan's crippled nuclear plant drew a lackluster response Monday, as polls showed diminishing public support for the government's handling of the country's recent disasters.

The plan issued by Tokyo Electric Power Co. over the weekend, in response to a government order, is meant to be a first step toward letting some of the tens of thousands of evacuees from near the company's Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant return to their homes.

Those forced to flee due to radiation leaks after a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami on March 11 knocked out the plant's power and cooling systems are frustrated that their exile will not end soon. And officials acknowledge that unforeseen complications, or even another natural disaster, could set that timetable back even further.

"Well, this year is lost," said Kenji Matsueda, 49, who is living in an evacuation center in Fukushima after being forced from his home 12 miles (20 kilometers) from the plant. "I have no idea what I will do. Nine months is a long time. And it could be longer. I don't think they really know."

Pressure has been building on the government and TEPCO to resolve Japan's worst-ever nuclear power accident, and Prime Minister Naoto Kan is facing calls for his resignation.

"You should be bowing your head in apology. You clearly have no leadership at all," Masashi Waki, a lawmaker from the opposition Liberal Democratic Party, shouted during an intense grilling of Kan and members of his Cabinet in parliament Monday.

"I am sincerely apologizing for what has happened," Kan said, stressing that the government was doing all it could to handle unprecedented disasters.

TEPCO's president, Masataka Shimizu, looked visibly ill at ease as lawmakers heckled and taunted him.

"I again deeply apologize for causing so much trouble for residents near the complex, people in Fukushima and the public," Shimizu said.

Polls by several Japanese national newspapers released Monday showed widespread dissatisfaction, with more than two-thirds of Japanese surveyed unhappy with how Kan's administration has dealt with the nuclear crisis.

"Nothing concrete," said a headline in the Mainichi newspaper of the plan. "The nuclear timetable does not show enough consideration for the residents," said the Nihon Keizai, a financial newspaper.

A majority of those surveyed in the polls by the Mainichi, Nihon Keizai and Asahi newspapers expressed support, though, for tax increases to pay for reconstruction of areas devastated by the tsunami.

Goshi Hosono, an adviser to the prime minister and member of his nuclear crisis management task force, said the government would closely monitor TEPCO's implementation of its crisis plan and hoped it could be carried out ahead of schedule.

The timetable's first step focuses on cooling the reactors and spent fuel pools, reducing radiation leaks and decontaminating water that has become radioactive, within three months. The second step, for within six to nine months, is to bring the release of radioactive materials fully under control, achieve a cold shutdown of the reactors and cover the buildings, possibly with a form of industrial cloth.

Nuclear safety officials described the plan as "realistic," but acknowledged there could be setbacks.

"Given the conditions now, this is best that it could do," said Hidehiko Nishiyama of the government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, adding that conditions at the facility remain unstable.

Explosions, fires and other malfunctions have hindered efforts to repair the stricken plant and stem radiation leaks.

"There is no shortcut to resolving these issues. Though it will be difficult, we have to go step by step to resolve these problems," he said.

Even with the announcement of the timeline, it remained unclear when evacuees might be able to return home.

The area would need to be decontaminated, including removing and replacing the soil, Nishiyama said.

Hosono said the evacuees would not have to stay in gymnasiums for such a long period, but would be moved into temporary housing.

Some evacuees were unswayed by TEPCO's plan.

"I don't believe a word they say," said Yukio Otsuka, 56, a private school owner whose home is about three miles (five kilometers) from the power plant. "I don't trust them. I don't believe it is possible. We have really drawn the short stick on this one."

Activists criticized the delay in the roadmap's announcement.

"TEPCO has taken far too long to provide an indication of the direction it plans to take to bring the situation at Fukushima Dai-ichi under control," said Philip White of the Tokyo-based Citizens' Nuclear Information Center, a group of scientists and activists who have opposed nuclear power since 1975. "We hope TEPCO meets its targets, but there are many challenges ahead and many uncertainties."

The unveiling of the roadmap came two days after TEPCO – also under pressure from Kan's government – announced plans to give 1 million yen ($12,000) in initial compensation to each evacuated household, with much more expected later.

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Japan Evacuation Zone: Government Expected To Extend Evacuations Over 18 Miles

Tokyo -- Japan plans to extend the evacuation zone around its crippled nuclear plant because of high radiation levels, local media reported Monday, with engineers no closer to regaining control of six reactors hit by a giant tsunami one month ago.
Concern at Japan's inability contain its nuclear crisis, caused by a March 11 earthquake and tsunami, is mounting with Prime Minister Naoto Kan's ruling party suffering embarrassing losses in local elections Sunday and neighboring China and South Korea voicing criticism.
Engineers at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant north of Tokyo said Sunday they were no closer to restoring the plant's cooling system which is critical if overheated fuel rods are to be cooled and the six reactors brought under control.
They are hoping to stop pumping radioactive water into the ocean Monday, days later than planned.
Four weeks after the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl quarter of a century ago, the government was moving to extend a 20 km (12 mile) evacuation zone due to high levels of radiation, the Asahi newspaper reported.
The government has so far refused to widen the zone, despite being urged to by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and countries like the United States and Australia advising its citizens to stay 80 kms away from the plant.
The Asahi said the government would extend the zone to 30 kms in certain areas, depending on wind direction, and residents would be given a week to prepare for evacuation.
The Japan Times said authorities would soon forcibly close the 20 km zone, stopping people returning to their shattered homes to pick through the rubble for belongings.
Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato criticised the evacuation policy, saying residents in a 20-30 km radius were initially told to stay indoors and then advised to evacuate voluntarily.
"Residents in the 20-30 km radius were really confused about what to do." Sato told NHK television Sunday.
Media reports said that Sato would refuse to meet the president of Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) when he visits the area Monday.
It is Japan's worst crisis since World War Two after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and a huge tsunami battered its northeast coast, leaving nearly 28,000 dead or missing and rocking the world's third-largest economy.
POLITICAL FALLOUT
Japanese voters Sunday vented their anger at the government's handling of the nuclear and humanitarian crisis, with Kan's ruling Democratic Party of Japan losing nearly 70 seats in local elections.
The unpopular Kan was already under pressure to step down before March 11, but analysts say he is unlikely to be forced out during the crisis, set to drag on for months.
"The great disaster was a double tragedy for Japan. The first tragedy was the catastrophe caused by the earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear accident. The other misfortune was that the disaster resulted in prolonging Prime Minister Kan's time in office," Sankei newspaper said in an editorial Monday.
In Tokyo, around 5,000 people took to the streets in two separate anti-nuclear protests Sunday.
China and South Korea have both criticised Japan's handling of the nuclear crisis, with Seoul calling it incompetent, reflecting growing international unease over the month-long atomic disaster and the spread of radiation.
Japan's economy, the world's third largest, is reeling from the triple disaster and several countries have banned or restricted food imports after detecting radiation.
More critically, the nuclear crisis and power shortages have disrupted Japan's manufacturing and electronics global supply chains, hitting computer and automakers in particular.
Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa Monday reiterated that the economy is likely to return to a recovery path once supply constraints caused by last month's earthquake and tsunami ease, and as exports grow.
RADIOACTIVE SEAWATER
TEPCO has struggled to regain control of its nuclear plant.
It is currently pumping nitrogen into reactors to counter a build up of hydrogen and prevent another explosion sending more radiation into the air.
"We cannot say what the outlook is for the next stage," Hidehiko Nishiyama, a deputy director-general of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) said Sunday.
In a desperate move to cool highly radioactive fuel rods, TEPCO has pumped water onto reactors, some of which have experienced partial meltdown.
But the strategy has hindered moves to restore the plant's internal cooling system, critical to end the crisis, as engineers have had to focus how to store 60,000 tonnes of contaminated water.
Engineers have been forced to pump low-level radioactive water, left by the tsunami, back into the sea in order to free up storage capacity for highly contaminated water from reactors.

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Economy of Australia hit by floods

Australia's mining industry has borne the brunt of the economic impact from massive floods in Queensland state, but agriculture, construction, transport, tourism and retail have also been hit.

Following is a list of sectors and companies affected:

COAL MINERS

Some of the biggest producers have suspended sales contracts and production runs until waters recede. Anglo American, Aquila Resources, Vale, Macarthur Coal, Rio Tinto, Wesfarmers and Xstrata own mines in Queensland which are either fully or partially under force majeure, which releases them from supply obligations. BHP Billiton declines to disclose how much capacity is subject to force majeure. BHP has a joint venture with Japan's Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd. Peabody Energy, which has annual production capacity of more than 10 million metric tons in Queensland, has declined to specify which of its mines are under force majeure. The firm has cut its 2010 profit forecast. New Hope Corp said on Tuesday it had suspended all operations at its Queensland coal mines.

INSURERS

Total flood-related claims are expected to cost insurers around $1 billion but most of this will be met by reinsurance. Queensland's biggest insurer, Suncorp Metway Ltd, sees a need for extra reinsurance cover of A$120 million and estimates the cost of claims at between A$70 million and A$90 million. Analysts have cut earnings forecasts for the insurer by a further 10 to 12 percent. Insurance Australia Group has received 2,400 claims but said Thursday it was too early to assess damage. Total claims are expected to fall short of A$150 million, according to analysts. Shares in QBE Insurance have also fallen on flood concerns. The level of claims received was not yet available.

MINING CONTRACTORS

Leighton Holdings has halted work on Brisbane's A$4.1 billion ($4.05 billion) Airport Link, the firm's largest infrastructure project. Leighton said the overall earnings impact from the floods would take time to assess. Downer EDI said on Wednesday all of the coal mines where it works in Queensland were running and it did not expect much earnings impact. Industrea said only one of its mining services contracts was affected, at Cockatoo Coal's Baralaba mine. Industrea said it did not expect a material impact. UBS analysts say other mining service contractors exposed to the floods include Macmahon Holdings, Emeco Holdings, and Bradken. Boom Logistics says the wet weather has hit its December earnings.

PORT/RAIL OPERATORS

Ports and rail operator Asciano said Wednesday floods had shut coal mines and damaged rail lines, warning the revenue forecast for its Pacific National Coal unit was likely to be hit. QR National, Australia's largest coal-freight company, said on Thursday it expected to open its Blackwater rail line as early as January 20. The line has been closed since December 27. QR National's Goonyella line is operating at 70 percent of capacity, while the Moura line is set to reopen to all traffic on Thursday, the company said.

AGRICULTURE

Australia's wheat, sugar and cotton exports have been hit by varying degrees. Fertilizer makers may also be hurt. Incitec Pivot is exposed on Fertilizer sales to farms and ammonium nitrate sales to miners. It was too early to estimate the impact on the group's earnings, a spokesman said. It suspended operations on December 23 at the 220,000 metric tons a year ammonium nitrate plant at Moura, a joint venture with Wesfarmers. The company plans to restart production this week and return to full production by the end of next week. Farm chemicals maker Nufarm expects some lost sales in the near term due to ruined crops, mainly cotton and sugar. In the medium term, it sees the improved soil moisture driving strong demand for a number of products. GrainCorp, Australia's largest grain handler: floods halted transportation of grains in Queensland last week, but the harvest was already largely complete in that state, which anyway accounts for a small share of national output. Queensland Sugar Ltd, Australia's biggest sugar exporter, said it was buying more raw sugar from Brazil and Thailand as floods damage sugar cane crops.

RETAILERS

Supermarket operators Wesfarmers and Woolworths face some distribution problems. Woolworths said last week about 47 of its stories were affected. The Reject Shop shares were halted from trade on Wednesday as it assessed the impact of floods on a distribution center in Queensland which services 90 of its 211 stores. Department store chains Myer and David Jones shut stores in flood-hit areas, local media said. Paint manufacturer DuluxGroup has temporarily shut down a factory in Queensland. Soft drinks bottler Coca-Cola Amatil warned on January 6 that a wet, cooler summer would affect its earnings. Surfwear maker Billabong cut profit forecasts in December due to the wet weather.

TOURISM

Fragile corals and marine life are under threat from floods flushing toxins into the Great Barrier Reef. Queensland Tourism says rain will hurt the industry, with police telling motorists to stay off the roads in premier tourist destinations such as the Sunshine and Gold Coast. Travellers being urged to cancel holidays. Qantas Airways says no immediate impact on flights but analysts expect bookings will be affected. Virgin Blue shares have see-sawed on flood-related concerns.

COAL SEAM GAS

Coal seam gas drilling in Queensland's Surat Basin has been halted due to floods. Easternwell Group, being acquired by Transfield Services, has ceased drilling in the region. It is drilling wells for Australia's Santos, Malaysia's Petronas and state-run Korea Gas Corp. Canada's Savanna Energy says it has two rigs which cannot be reached. Savanna is drilling wells for Origin Energy Ltd and ConocoPhillips.

REFINERIES

Refiner Caltex expects production to restart on Thursday at its Brisbane refinery, after a rain-related shut-down last week. Return to full output would depend on normal operations resuming at Brisbane port. It estimated the unscheduled shutdown had cost it A$5-10 million.

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N.Korea must show good faith for new talks : Gates

New international disarmament talks with North Korea are possible only if the North backs off recent aggression against South Korea and demonstrates it is willing to bargain in good faith, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday. Gates said diplomacy is worthwhile, starting with direct talks between the North and South. South Korea has rejected new talks for now, reflecting intense anger and impatience over North Korean attacks. Gates attached no conditions to possible new discussions between the North and South beyond an end to attacks like two in the past year blamed for killing about 50 South Koreans. He insisted on "concrete steps" by the North for new talks involving the United States. "When or if North Korea's actions show cause to believe negotiations could be productive or conducted in good faith, then we could see a return" to dormant six-nation disarmament talks, Gates said. Those talks include the U.S., China, Japan, Russia and the two Koreas. Gates made a brief stop in Seoul for crisis talks on North Korea to close a week of military discussions in Asia clouded by the threat of new war on the Korean peninsula. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin told Gates that his country feels under attack. South Korea sees recent North Korean aggression as the worst since the close of the Korean War six decades ago. "Many expect North Korea to conduct more provocation this year," Kim said. South Korea must answer "from the basis of strength," he added. The United States fears that the risk of war is rising between U.S. ally South Korea and the heavily militarized and increasingly unpredictable regime in North Korea, which the Pentagon also considers a looming threat to the mainland United States. North Korea allegedly sank a South Korean warship in March, killing 46 sailors, and shelled front-line Yeonpyeong Island in November, killing four people there. The island sits in waters the North claims. The U.S. is urging patience but is worried that rising frustration in the South may force its leaders to retaliate if the North attacks again.

Gates was in Tokyo earlier Friday, where he said North Korea was less able to invade South Korea now than it was a decade or more ago but has become a more lethal threat to Asia and the world. "The character and priorities of the North Korean regime sadly have not changed," Gates said. "North Korea's ability to launch another conventional ground invasion is much degraded from even a decade ago, but in other respects it has grown more lethal and more destabilizing," Gates said in an address to students at Keio University. North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile technology "threaten not just the peninsula, but the Pacific Rim and international stability," Gates said. Regarding China, Gates said that even as the U.S. military relationship between the two countries improves, at least one area of disagreement continues: "freedom of navigation." That's a euphemism for the U.S. view that it has the right to sail its ships in waters that China claims as restricted.Freedom of shipping and commerce have been basic principles for the United States since its founding, Gates pointed out. He also told students that China's military sometimes does things without telling the country's senior political leadership. The communist party has firm control over the military, but "sometimes there are disconnects," Gates said. "In the larger sense of who controls the Chinese military and who has the ultimate authority there is no doubt in my mind that it is President Hu Jintao and the senior civilian leadership of that country," Gates said, adding the wider U.S. engagement with China he seeks could help cut through the communications problems between China's military and political spheres. "I believe we've seen instances where specific events take place where the Chinese senior leadership may not have known about them," Gates said. He mentioned this week's flight test of the new J-20 stealth fighter as one such example. Gates said Hu did not appear to know about the test until Gates asked him about it. "But on the whole, I do think this is something that is a worry," Gates said. He also made the case for the continued presence of tens of thousands of U.S. forces in Japan. U.S. military bases on the southern island of Okinawa have become increasingly unpopular because of noise, crowding and the perception that the U.S. takes Japan for granted. Most of the 49,000 U.S. forces in Japan are based on Okinawa. But without those forces, "North Korea's military provocations could be even more outrageous," Gates said. "China might behave more assertively toward its neighbors," he added.

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