Japan vows to review nuclear safety standards (two workers drenched Tuesday with radioactive water)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MARI YAMAGUCHI and YURI KAGEYAMA

TOKYO (AP) - Japan's government vowed Tuesday to overhaul nuclear safety standards once its radiation-leaking reactor complex is under control, admitting that its safeguards were insufficient to protect the plant against the March 11 tsunami.

The struggle to contain radiation at the complex has unfolded with near-constant missteps - including two workers drenched Tuesday with radioactive water despite wearing supposedly waterproof suits. The unfolding drama has drawn increasing criticism of the utility that owns the plant as well as scrutiny of Japan's preparedness for nuclear crises.

"Our preparedness was not sufficient," Edano told reporters. "When the current crisis is over, we must examine the accident closely and thoroughly review" safety standards.

An AP investigation found that Tokyo Electric Power Co. officials had dismissed scientific evidence and geological history that indicated that a massive earthquake - and subsequent tsunami - was far more likely than they believed.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20110329/D9M8UT980.html

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Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan reacts during the Upper House Budget Committee in Tokyo Tuesday, March 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT, NO LICENSING IN CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND FRANCE

[xchrom]

1. sigh. nt

[They_Live]

2. I don't pray very often

but I'm praying around the clock for this particular "current crisis" to end as soon as possible. Just like the BP Gulf Nightmare (still ongoing), where are the contingency plans? Where are the experts? Why aren't robots doing this work?

[w4rma]

4. Electronics don't work in radiation. (nt)

[They_Live]

6. I was thinking about that too...

How can helicopters fly near it?

[w4rma]

5. . nt

[DeSwiss]

3. New Safety Standard:

SHUT THEM ALL DOWN!!!!



K&R

[They_Live]

7. +1000

[Kelvin Mace]

8. Really?

"Our preparedness was not sufficient," Edano told reporters. "When the current crisis is over, we must examine the accident closely and thoroughly review" safety standards.

And then you'll just ignore the problems like you've done the last few thousand times, right?