NUCLEAR
ACCIDENT HITS JAPAN
Japan
is facing a possible nuclear emergency after a major radiation
leak occurred in the northeast part of the country about ninety
miles from Tokyo, the capital of Japan. The accident took place
at a privately owned uranium processing plant called Tokaimura.
Twenty
seven people were sent to the hospital because they were exposed
to radiation. Also, about 300,000 people who live within 10 kilometers
of the plant have been told to stay indoors.
The
cause of the leak is still not known. The specific plant where
the accident occurred reprocesses uranium pellets for nuclear
power plants. Some officials say that a worker at the facility
may have loaded 35 pounds of uranium into a container which is
about eight times the normal amount. Just after this occurred,
radiation levels went up to 15,000 times normal.
US
President Bill Clinton stated that US help would be available
to Japan because of the accident. Mr. Clinton said, "We are all
very concerned and our thoughts and prayers are with the people
of Japan today."
Japan
is no stranger to nuclear accidents. Since December of 1995, they
have suffered six other nuclear accidents. These accidents included
radioactive leaks and fires at various plants.
At
present, Japan has 51 commercial nuclear power reactors. These
reactors supply Japan with 1/3 of its electricity. In eleven years
time, Japan hopes to produce 42% of its energy with these nuclear
plants.
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