World

Helicopter Video Gives Remarkable Views of Damaged Nuke Plant

YAMAGATA, Japan (AP) — Japan’s military says it does not plan further helicopter air drops of water on overheating reactors at a tsunami-ravaged nuclear plant.

Defense ministry spokesman Ippo Mayama said Friday that further helicopter runs were not planned, following several runs the day before. He did not say why. It was unclear what effect the water drops had on the targeted reactor.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

YAMAGATA, Japan (AP) — Smoke billowed from a building at Japan’s crippled nuclear power plant Friday as emergency crews worked to reconnect electricity to cooling systems and spray more water on the overheating reactors at the tsunami-ravaged facility.

Four of the troubled Fukushima Dai-ichi plant’s six reactors have seen fires, explosions or partial meltdowns in the week since the tsunami. While the reactor cores where energy is generated are a concern, Japanese and U.S. officials believe a critical danger are the pools used to store spent nuclear fuel: fuel rods in one pool were believed to be at least partially exposed and in danger of leaking radiation.

Friday’s smoke came from Unit 2, and its cause was not known, the nuclear safety agency said. An explosion had hit the building on Tuesday, possibly damaging a crucial cooling chamber that sits below the reactor core.

More urgent, Japan’s chief government spokesman said, was the adjacent Unit 3. Fuel rods there may have been partially exposed, and without enough water, the rods may heat further and possibly spew radiation. Frantic efforts were made Thursday to douse the unit with water, using helicopters and firetrucks, and authorities prepared to repeat the effort Friday.

“Dealing with Unit 3 is our utmost priority,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told reporters.

In the week since the massive earthquake and tsunami, Japan‘s government and the utility that runs Fukushima have struggled to contain the plant’s cascading troubles.

Edano said Friday that Tokyo is asking the U.S. government for help and the two are discussing the specifics. “We are coordinating with the U.S. government as to what the U.S. can provide and what people really need,” Edano said.

The U.S. and Japan, close allies, have offered differing assessments over the dangers at Fukushima in recent days. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jazcko said in Washington Thursday that it could take days and “possibly weeks” to get the complex under control. He defended the U.S. decision to recommend a 50-mile (80-kilometer) evacuation zone for its citizens, wider than the 30-mile (50-kilometer) band Japan has ordered.

Crucial to the effort to regain control over the Fukushima plant is laying a new power line to the plant, allowing operators to restore cooling systems to the reactors. The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co., missed a deadline late Thursday but said Friday workers hoped to complete the effort, first reconnecting Unit 1.

Also Friday, the Group of Seven major industrialized countries agreed to support Japan — whose infrastructure and industries were badly battered by the disasters — by intervening in currency markets. The group did not say what it would do but the efforts would likely focus on weakening the Japanese yen, which has risen this week. A strong yen could make Japanese exports less competitive, crimping any recovery.

The quake and unfolding nuclear crisis have led to power shortages in Japan, forced auto and other factories to close, sending shockwaves through global manufacturing and trade, and triggered a plunge in Japanese stock prices.

Comments (41)

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  • Igno Ramus
    Posted on March 20, 2011 at 12:38am

    Who reported that the reactors were damaged by the earthquake? I thought that the problem was that the cooling systems lost power. That is not damage to the reactor. The first two explosions were predicted and actually expected by the people in charge. While this event is truly dangerous, who is reporting all the end of world devastation? This AIN’T Chernobyl. If things were as bad as are being reported, there would already BE a massive radioactive cloud on the way to the US. And, there would also be a lot MORE dead people in Japan. Don’t let the MSM frighten you with sensationalist junk. This too shall pass, and they probably will be able to use the last two reactors again.

    Report Post »  
  • Boop
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 7:58pm

    I have the utmost respect for the Japanese people and my prayers are with them. We don’t see any looting, fighting, hoarding or any disrespect of any kind. They seem to be working together and helping each other. What are we doing wrong in this country? As soon as a disaster hits, we see people breaking in stores, looting, fighting, and police are having to control them rather than being able to help people who need the help. When Katrina hit, refugees were brought to our city and they were terrible! They demanded more of everything, got in fights, cursed people, tore up the bathrooms, and some actually had sex in an open auditorium in front of children and had to be put out! They acted more like animals than people. Houston had the same problem and wanted them out of there. Most of these people were from the 9th ward of New Orleans where we understand the police are even scared to go there. These are the government supplied housing projects where people don’t work. America needs to take lessons from Japan on teaching people how to behave. Maybe they have better TV programs and movies than we do.

    Report Post »  
  • the old plumber
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 4:41pm

    “Copyrights” my butt they have hidden the truth from the world, even their own people from the start, TEPCO, and the government both need to be held to fault for this . I feel for the people of Japan , but for those who hid the truth they need to go away for a long time perhaps as forced labor to clean up the site of their crimes.

    Report Post »  
  • the old plumber
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 4:35pm

    “COPYRIGHTS” how about COVER UP they have with held the truth from the start!

    Report Post »  
  • Taulman
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 4:13pm

    Japan
    It’s now been a week, sense the horrendous disaster in Japan. Our thoughts are with all of the Japanese people.
    I want to address the on-going Disaster at the Nuclear Plant.
    Specifically to address the constant lack of information coming from the plant even after a week of difficulties.
    To all of us….
    Listening to our evening news, we would get the impression that there is a team of Nuclear experts from several countries working in some emergency command room trying desperately to come to any and all conclusions as to the next step to take to bring this problem to a favorable solution.
    All of you need to erase that image from your logical mind’s eye as the reality of what is happening isn’t even close.
    Understand the most important following two facts:
    1.The best outcome as of today is that the reactors are shut down now with the result being a 50 mile radius of Japan, lost for the next few generations.
    2.The worst outcome is that radiation will spew forth until doused with Boric acid and cement
    a.at a cost of several lives
    b.at a 100+ mile radius lost for generations
    c.financial responsibility equal to 500 billion dollars+
    d.and most importantly an assignment of blame from the rest of the world, again for generations.
    The reality is as follows:
    1. There is no one control room, as there are several, each with a countries consultants
    2. Tepco is the single responsible authority to make any decisions, adjustments and plans.
    3. There is an ombudsman or technical coordinator that takes questions from Tepco or other agencies and 1st makes a decision as to whether their countries technical staff will even take the question at all.
    4. If as an example, Tepco wants to ask a question of China, before the question is even taken under advisement, it is written into a legal exemption document. Exempting China (or any country) from any responsibility of any outcome from Tepco acting on any shared information.
    This should make it clear why 1. Things are creeping along and 2. There has been no specific defined action or expected outcome from a defined action.
    The reality of responsibility is as follows:
    1. Tepco was overwhelmed and out of contingent plans as of last Monday i.e the four main backup systems failed….. Tepco say’s they’ve reached the last page of their procedures book.
    2. The Japanese government is yelling at Tepco, to fix it, but at the same time doesn’t want to take responsibility (by directing any action) from Tepco. Some one is going to be punished and the government is practicing self-preservation.
    3. While other governments have sent help, you need to understand that each group is headed not by a scientist, but by a legal analyst that will make sure there are no questions or answers that can place any blame on any of these governments.
    Therefore:
    Given these facts, we must understand that the difference between the best and worse case is solely an act of Political Correctness Terrorism.

    Decades from now, our children and the Japanese children will look at this and ask the simplest question of all….. Why didn’t the world work together to help?
    And they will come to the correct conclusion…. Political Correctness Terrorism!
    God help the Japanese
    And for the rest of us…..we should all drop our heads in shame!

    Report Post » Taulman  
  • bruce_baker
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 11:58am

    To all those who would respond to the recent nuclear crisis in Japan by killing all present and future nuclear operations:
    If any of you have ever suffered from headache, I have a solution.
    Obtain access to a guillotine. Then “Look through the little window and be cured of headaches forever!”
    Since the Man Made Global Warming crowd is making it impossible to get our energy from coal and oil, any you’re ready to kill nuclear power, then we’re left with wind and solar.
    We get about 1.8% of our current energy needs from renewables, the only answer will be rationing. When your power is only on for a half an hour a day, enjoy shivering in the dark!

    Report Post » bruce_baker  
  • Robert Hawk
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 9:58am

    Most news media are spinning their nuclear fear yarn and fueling a fear frenzy in the people
    The actual information for these events can be found in the sources listed below. Remember that the USA and the remainder of the world are using two different measurements related to radiation. The USA uses REM and the remainder of the world uses Sievert. Just understand that 10 micorSievert = 1 milirem and you will be able to keep up with the reports of radiation levels. Use an on line conversion for the temperatures given in the data (c to f)

    Japan NISA
    http://www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/index.html

    World IAEA (lots of details and specifications)
    http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/2011/tsunamiupdate01.html

    US EPA Radiation Exposure Guide
    http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/docs/402-k-07-006.pdf

    US NRC Radiation Exposure Guidelines
    http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/radiation/around-us/doses-daily-lives.html

    Report Post » Robert Hawk  
  • MinorityRightsAdvocate
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 9:26am

    Pray for Japan, but keep this in perspective, as bad as the Nuclear crisis is, it pales in comparison to the Tsunami damage.
    I’ve been keeping up with the technical aspects of this as a nuclear trained engineer, if you want details without hysteria and spin, here is my post on subject:

    http://minorityrightsadvocate.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/anti-nuclear-groups-pounce-on-the-tragedy-in-japan-as-an-opportunity-to-shut-down-any-future-nuclear-power-development-but-is-this-attack-really-fair/

    Report Post » MinorityRightsAdvocate  
  • sbenard
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 8:05am

    The camera is so shakey that its impossible to make out much, but this much is clear: damage is extensive!

    Report Post » sbenard  
  • SICKANTIRED
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 7:42am

    The people of Japan will rebuild in no time because they know how to work together…

    Report Post » SICKANTIRED  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 5:49am

    Continued prayers for the people of Japan.

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
  • Lorijellybean
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 5:42am

    I guess no one Glenn) accounted for the 40 years worth of spent rods, sitting on the containment device. I guess the “impossible” just got too possible . Poor Japan, poor everyone.

    Report Post » Lorijellybean  
  • kurwa
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 5:24am

    Wow Glenn Montgomery Burns sure looks like a fool now. When is he and his M&M’s going to retract?

    Report Post » kurwa  
    • Alvin691
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:49pm

      Umm, wasn’t that position based on the damage REPORTED?

      Report Post »  
  • brliantedj
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 5:15am

    From now on my kids are named “over budget” since they are.
    I hope Joe Biden finds that in order for them to survive they have to SPEND money.

    Report Post »  
  • Marylou7
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 5:13am

    Japan and it’s people are always in my prayers.

    Report Post » Marylou7  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 4:02am

    Low level radiation will hit CA Friday morning .
    I don’t buy that story of 1 mile electric power line , I mean come on Japan doesn’t have some mobile power generators to power up the pumps ?
    I think that the plant operators are not @ a level of an emergency nuclear leak & they should be replaced with qualified operators .

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • MinorityRightsAdvocate
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 9:44am

      Robert,
      This is uncharted territory for the industry. They’ve never had to deal with a earth quake of this magnitude, continued aftershocks that are major earth quakes of their own, a major Tsusnami, a total loss of onsite back up power, wiped out electrical grid, wiped out roads, panic, significant radiation leaks, massive hydrogen explosions, fires, and there are more issues I’m sure.
      I don’t think anyone on the planet truly has had specific training and qualification to be and expert in dealing with this particular casualty… do you?
      From what I can tell the response of the Japanese has been amazing and about a good as I think is reasonable to expect given the extent of the damage.

      Report Post » MinorityRightsAdvocate  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:32am

    @Gonesurfing

    Those pictures are bad in the extreme; I never thought anything like this outside of a hollywood movie could become reality…sorry in my case too for being wrong.

    God help the Japanese and us at the same time.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • SandyfromChesterfield
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 2:55am

    Was that a building on fire right before the end of this tape?

    Report Post »  
  • USAFRetired
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 2:24am

    Start dropping buckets of concrete instead of water. Most of the concrete will land right where you let it go. seal the buildings now no muss no fuss. learn the lessons of the past before you have a major breach and can’t put a cork in the genie bottle

    Report Post » USAFRetired  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 7:51am

      with lead particles, they could use Jets and spray the area
      with Chemtrails like they spray us with .

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • vennoye
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 2:16am

    Sorry, hit post by mistake. China already manipulates their currency, so Japan will get hammered again if they drive the price of the yen up. Man, is there anything market speculators won’t do for money…..you know the yen increase was partly market speculation.

    Report Post » vennoye  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 2:10am

    Because of the magnitude of the disasters that has hit japan. It’s impossible to comprehend, or know what’s really going on. The japanese people need our help,and prayers. Leave the nuclear reactors problem to the professionals. Don’t make this a media event. There’s much work that is to be done,so open up your wallets, role up your sleeves,or do what you can to show your support for our friends.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • Showtime
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:57am

    “Also Friday, the Group of Seven major industrialized countries agreed to support Japan — whose infrastructure and industries were badly battered by the disasters — by intervening in currency markets. The group did not say what it would do but the efforts would likely focus on weakening the Japanese yen, which has risen this week. A strong yen could make Japanese exports less competitive, crimping any recovery.”

    How can weakening the Japanese yen HELP Japan? The Group of Seven doesn’t seem to want to be of very much help, in my opinion, if by doing so, it will crimp recovery efforts.

    Report Post » Showtime  
    • vennoye
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 2:05am

      Would make anything they exported too high…

      Report Post » vennoye  
    • 2gether
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:45am

      The Japanese already dumped billions of dollars=yen into the market x 2. I don’t think it will matter much at this point, The bigger issue is the trade disruption that will occur globally. It remains to be seen how this will affect the over all market. I see some real issues with the power grid in Japan. The nuclear plants are shot and the Japanese will have to come up with some other ways to replace the electricity that can no longer be generated by those damaged facilities. It isn’t something that can occur over nite.

      Report Post »  
  • mharry860
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:55am

    Yep, just a minor irritant, while the pimp media ignores the true tragedy on the shores. Scaring people gets better ratings than the tragedy that all ready happened.

    Report Post » mharry860  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 7:15am

      Unfortunate is it not?

      Now for most of the talking heads and sock puppets of the liberal media that do only as their bosses and sponsors (read “unions”) the better the ratings and more sensationalism created, the more the people of the media appear to be on top of the situation, especially when they are clueless like the administration (refering to a cabnit member yelling out to check the media because the admin has no idea) is what matters most.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • GONESURFING
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:54am

    This doesn’t look good, nuclear reactor buildings in ruins. God help them and all of us for that matter.

    Report Post » GONESURFING  
  • Cherynn
    Posted on March 18, 2011 at 1:35am

    The Japanese are going to win this war, I have faith in them.

    Report Post » Cherynn  
    • NoRoomForSocialismHere
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 2:51am

      They have been a remarkable people, I salute them.
      I would trade Califorina, Oregon, Washington, Neveda, Colorado, New Mexico, New England which includes New York and other sanctuary states including my beloved Texas.

      Report Post »  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:17am

      I sure hope so but some of those building don’t look like they are very strong or safe right now!!
      http://wp.me/pYLB7-KJ

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 7:44am

      un like 911 these buildings are still standing.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 7:45am

      Maybe the US Govt can use some of those High tech Drones to give
      us the real radiation levels and clear pictures like when they spy on us ?

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 7:57am

      Cherynn
      I think you are right!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Obama Snake Oil Co
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 3:21pm

      NoRoomForSocialismHere, they will not take a trade in. They have too much mileage, too hard to work on, unreliable and cost too much to keep going….no, I not talking about cars…I am talking about the states you mentioned……OSOC

      Report Post » Obama Snake Oil Co  
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