Fukushima (city): Difference between revisions
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In the aftermath of a 12 March 2011 quake, two of Fukushima Prefecture's six reactors' outer housings at the prefecture's nuclear powers station exploded followed by a meltdown and fires at three of the other units. Although the [[Fukushima I nuclear accidents|damaged]] [[Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant]] in [[Ōkuma, Fukushima|Ōkuma]] is some 50 miles away from Fukushima City, due to the development of a large evacuation zone around the plant, many residents were evacuated to nearby localities, including Fukushima City. Radiation levels near the plant peaked at 400 mSv/h (millisieverts per hour) after the earthquake and tsunami, due to damage received. This resulted in increased recorded radiation levels across Japan.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12740843]</ref> International authorities have expressed concern that the ongoing crisis at the plant threatens a nuclear catastrophe on a par with the [[Chernobyl]] accident affecting a geographical area of up to 200 miles at the last estimate. At least 5 employees have died and rescue attempts have been hampered by rising levels of radiation at the site.<ref>Gordon Rayner and Martin Evans [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8387051/Japan-nuclear-plant-Just-48-hours-to-avoid-another-Chernobyl.html 'Japan nuclear plant just 48 hours to avoid another Chernobyl'] ''Daily Telegraph'' 17 March 2011.</ref> The US and Chinese authorities have expressed their growing concern at the fallout from the stricken plant with raised radiation levels already detected at least 30 km from the site.<ref>Peter Behr [http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/03/17/17climatewire-fukushima-crisis-worsens-as-us-warns-of-a-lar-9187.html 'Fukushima crisis worsens as US warns of a large radiation release'] ''New York Times'' 17 March 2011.</ref> On March 17, 2011, UN experts claimed that the nuclear plume from the devastated reactors could reach US airspace the next day and Europe within a fortnight, less than a week after the first explosion.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366920/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-UN-predicts-nuclear-plume-hit-US-Friday.html 'UN predicts nuclear plume could hit US by Friday'] ''Daily Mail'' 17 March 2011.</ref> The next day, Japanese officials designated the magnitude of the danger at the site at level 5, an emergency with "wider consequences", only two points behind the Chernobyl disaster, on the international 7 point scale.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12783832 'Japan raised nulear alert level'] BBC News online 18 March 2011.</ref> The accident is officially deemed as serious as the [[Three Mile Island accident]] of 1979 and Japanese officials have now admitted it poses a serious danger to life.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/japan-raises-nuclear-crisis-level-2245721.html 'Japan raises nuclear crisis level'] ''The Independent'' 18 March 2011.</ref> Options to contain the overheating reactors such as a concrete sarcophagus as used to encase the Ukrainian [[Chernobyl]] reactor are being considered.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367684/Nuclear-plant-chief-weeps-Japanese-finally-admit-radiation-leak-kill-people.html 'The moment nuclear plant chief weeped as Japanese finally admit radiation is serious enough to kill people'] ''Daily Mail'' 18 March 2011.</ref> On 19 March, it was reported that radioactive contamination from the stricken plant had been found in milk and food crops in Fukushima district and beyond. It exceeded the Japanese government safe limits but was not thought to pose an immediate threat to consumers' health.<ref>Nick Allen [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8392328/Japan-earthquake-Radiation-found-in-food-near-nuclear-plant.html 'Japan earthquake: Radiation found in food near nuclear plant'] ''Daily Telegraph'' 19 March 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367801/Japan-tsunami-Desperate-bid-connect-power-crippled-nuclear-reactor-radiation-milk.html 'Desperate bid to connect power at crippled nuclear reactor as radiation found in milk and spinach outside exclusion zone'] ''Daily Mail'' 19 March 2011.</ref> |
In the aftermath of a 12 March 2011 quake, two of Fukushima Prefecture's six reactors' outer housings at the prefecture's nuclear powers station exploded followed by a meltdown and fires at three of the other units. Although the [[Fukushima I nuclear accidents|damaged]] [[Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant]] in [[Ōkuma, Fukushima|Ōkuma]] is some 50 miles away from Fukushima City, due to the development of a large evacuation zone around the plant, many residents were evacuated to nearby localities, including Fukushima City. Radiation levels near the plant peaked at 400 mSv/h (millisieverts per hour) after the earthquake and tsunami, due to damage received. This resulted in increased recorded radiation levels across Japan.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12740843]</ref> International authorities have expressed concern that the ongoing crisis at the plant threatens a nuclear catastrophe on a par with the [[Chernobyl]] accident affecting a geographical area of up to 200 miles at the last estimate. At least 5 employees have died and rescue attempts have been hampered by rising levels of radiation at the site.<ref>Gordon Rayner and Martin Evans [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8387051/Japan-nuclear-plant-Just-48-hours-to-avoid-another-Chernobyl.html 'Japan nuclear plant just 48 hours to avoid another Chernobyl'] ''Daily Telegraph'' 17 March 2011.</ref> The US and Chinese authorities have expressed their growing concern at the fallout from the stricken plant with raised radiation levels already detected at least 30 km from the site.<ref>Peter Behr [http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/03/17/17climatewire-fukushima-crisis-worsens-as-us-warns-of-a-lar-9187.html 'Fukushima crisis worsens as US warns of a large radiation release'] ''New York Times'' 17 March 2011.</ref> On March 17, 2011, UN experts claimed that the nuclear plume from the devastated reactors could reach US airspace the next day and Europe within a fortnight, less than a week after the first explosion.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366920/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-UN-predicts-nuclear-plume-hit-US-Friday.html 'UN predicts nuclear plume could hit US by Friday'] ''Daily Mail'' 17 March 2011.</ref> The next day, Japanese officials designated the magnitude of the danger at the site at level 5, an emergency with "wider consequences", only two points behind the Chernobyl disaster, on the international 7 point scale.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12783832 'Japan raised nulear alert level'] BBC News online 18 March 2011.</ref> The accident is officially deemed as serious as the [[Three Mile Island accident]] of 1979 and Japanese officials have now admitted it poses a serious danger to life.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/japan-raises-nuclear-crisis-level-2245721.html 'Japan raises nuclear crisis level'] ''The Independent'' 18 March 2011.</ref> Options to contain the overheating reactors such as a concrete sarcophagus as used to encase the Ukrainian [[Chernobyl]] reactor are being considered.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367684/Nuclear-plant-chief-weeps-Japanese-finally-admit-radiation-leak-kill-people.html 'The moment nuclear plant chief weeped as Japanese finally admit radiation is serious enough to kill people'] ''Daily Mail'' 18 March 2011.</ref> On 19 March, it was reported that radioactive contamination from the stricken plant had been found in milk and food crops in Fukushima district and beyond. It exceeded the Japanese government safe limits but was not thought to pose an immediate threat to consumers' health.<ref>Nick Allen [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8392328/Japan-earthquake-Radiation-found-in-food-near-nuclear-plant.html 'Japan earthquake: Radiation found in food near nuclear plant'] ''Daily Telegraph'' 19 March 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367801/Japan-tsunami-Desperate-bid-connect-power-crippled-nuclear-reactor-radiation-milk.html 'Desperate bid to connect power at crippled nuclear reactor as radiation found in milk and spinach outside exclusion zone'] ''Daily Mail'' 19 March 2011.</ref> |
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A week after the original quake, an aftershock rated 6.1 hit the region and traces of radioactive iodine from the wrecked plant were found in drinking water supplies in [[Tokyo]] 135 miles distant and in other Japanese cities. A ban was placed on the sale of milk and food crops originating from near the disaster zone due to contamination above official safety limits up to 65 miles from the damaged reactors.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367801/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-Radiation-food-water-near-Fukushima-nuclear-plant.html 'Radioactive particles found in Tokyo water supply as Japanese slap ban on food grown near wrecked nuclear plant'] ''Daily Mail'' 19 March 2011.</ref> The Japanese government has since announced that the facility is beyond salvage and will have to scrapped and decommissioned. |
A week after the original quake, an aftershock rated 6.1 hit the region and traces of radioactive iodine from the wrecked plant were found in drinking water supplies in [[Tokyo]] 135 miles distant and in other Japanese cities. A ban was placed on the sale of milk and food crops originating from near the disaster zone due to contamination above official safety limits up to 65 miles from the damaged reactors.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367801/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-Radiation-food-water-near-Fukushima-nuclear-plant.html 'Radioactive particles found in Tokyo water supply as Japanese slap ban on food grown near wrecked nuclear plant'] ''Daily Mail'' 19 March 2011.</ref> Levels of isotopes in drinking water were later deemed too high for safe consumption by babies. The Japanese government has since announced that the facility is beyond salvage and will have to scrapped and decommissioned. Progress has been made in restoring power to the cooling units but on 23 March, black smoke was reported to be rising from reactor no. 3 and the site was evacuated due to safety concerns. The UN Health Organisation has stated that the nuclear fallout from the disaster is more serious than initially claimed. It is the second most serious nuclear disaster in Japan, next to the [[atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] in [[World War II]]. |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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Revision as of 08:08, 23 March 2011
 | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Japanese. (August 2009) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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Fukushima
福島 | |
|---|---|
| 福島市 · Fukushima City | |
 Fukushima City | |
 Flag | |
 Location of Fukushima in Fukushima Prefecture | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Tōhoku |
| Prefecture | Fukushima Prefecture |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Takanori Seto |
| Area | |
• Total | 746.43 km2 (288.20 sq mi) |
| Population (October 1, 2007[1]) | |
• Total | 289,483 |
| • Density | 387.82/km2 (1,004.4/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| - Tree | Zelkova serrata [1] |
| - Flower | Peach [1] |
| - Bird | Great tit [1] |
| Phone number | 024-535-1111 |
| Address | 3-1 Gorōuchimachi, Fukushima-shi, Fukushima-ken 960-8601 |
| Website | City of Fukushima |
Fukushima (福島市, Fukushima-shi, meaning "good-fortune island") is the capital city of Fukushima Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. It is the site of a major nuclear disaster at an atomic energy plant in the wake of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
It lies about 250 km north of Tokyo and 80 km south of Sendai. Although the city is located inland, the prefecture has several Pacific ports such as Onahama and Sōma. Fukushima Airport is located in nearby Sukagawa.
As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 290,866 and the density of 389.68 persons per km². The total area is 746.43 km².
History
Fukushima was once called "Shinobu-no-sato," the village of Shinobu. In the 12th century Suginome Taro built Suginome Castle and the village began to develop as a castle town surrounding Fukushima Castle. During the Edo period, Fukushima began to grow prosperous from the production of silk and its name became well-known even in Kyoto. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868 a prefectural office was established in Fukushima and the Bank of Japan established an office in the city. This was the first national bank in the Tōhoku Region.[2] The city was founded on April 1, 1907. On July 1, 2008, the town of Iino, from Date District, was annexed by the city of Fukushima.
After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Fukushima City suffered a great deal of earthquake damage, including issues with water shortages and petrol rationing.
TEPCO nuclear disaster
In the aftermath of a 12 March 2011 quake, two of Fukushima Prefecture's six reactors' outer housings at the prefecture's nuclear powers station exploded followed by a meltdown and fires at three of the other units. Although the damaged Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant in Ōkuma is some 50 miles away from Fukushima City, due to the development of a large evacuation zone around the plant, many residents were evacuated to nearby localities, including Fukushima City. Radiation levels near the plant peaked at 400 mSv/h (millisieverts per hour) after the earthquake and tsunami, due to damage received. This resulted in increased recorded radiation levels across Japan.[3] International authorities have expressed concern that the ongoing crisis at the plant threatens a nuclear catastrophe on a par with the Chernobyl accident affecting a geographical area of up to 200 miles at the last estimate. At least 5 employees have died and rescue attempts have been hampered by rising levels of radiation at the site.[4] The US and Chinese authorities have expressed their growing concern at the fallout from the stricken plant with raised radiation levels already detected at least 30 km from the site.[5] On March 17, 2011, UN experts claimed that the nuclear plume from the devastated reactors could reach US airspace the next day and Europe within a fortnight, less than a week after the first explosion.[6] The next day, Japanese officials designated the magnitude of the danger at the site at level 5, an emergency with "wider consequences", only two points behind the Chernobyl disaster, on the international 7 point scale.[7] The accident is officially deemed as serious as the Three Mile Island accident of 1979 and Japanese officials have now admitted it poses a serious danger to life.[8] Options to contain the overheating reactors such as a concrete sarcophagus as used to encase the Ukrainian Chernobyl reactor are being considered.[9] On 19 March, it was reported that radioactive contamination from the stricken plant had been found in milk and food crops in Fukushima district and beyond. It exceeded the Japanese government safe limits but was not thought to pose an immediate threat to consumers' health.[10][11]
A week after the original quake, an aftershock rated 6.1 hit the region and traces of radioactive iodine from the wrecked plant were found in drinking water supplies in Tokyo 135 miles distant and in other Japanese cities. A ban was placed on the sale of milk and food crops originating from near the disaster zone due to contamination above official safety limits up to 65 miles from the damaged reactors.[12] Levels of isotopes in drinking water were later deemed too high for safe consumption by babies. The Japanese government has since announced that the facility is beyond salvage and will have to scrapped and decommissioned. Progress has been made in restoring power to the cooling units but on 23 March, black smoke was reported to be rising from reactor no. 3 and the site was evacuated due to safety concerns. The UN Health Organisation has stated that the nuclear fallout from the disaster is more serious than initially claimed. It is the second most serious nuclear disaster in Japan, next to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II.
Notes
- ^ a b c d Fukushima Tourist Office Information Pamphlet - "A Letter from Fukushima."
- ^ Takeda T., page 66.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Gordon Rayner and Martin Evans 'Japan nuclear plant just 48 hours to avoid another Chernobyl' Daily Telegraph 17 March 2011.
- ^ Peter Behr 'Fukushima crisis worsens as US warns of a large radiation release' New York Times 17 March 2011.
- ^ 'UN predicts nuclear plume could hit US by Friday' Daily Mail 17 March 2011.
- ^ 'Japan raised nulear alert level' BBC News online 18 March 2011.
- ^ 'Japan raises nuclear crisis level' The Independent 18 March 2011.
- ^ 'The moment nuclear plant chief weeped as Japanese finally admit radiation is serious enough to kill people' Daily Mail 18 March 2011.
- ^ Nick Allen 'Japan earthquake: Radiation found in food near nuclear plant' Daily Telegraph 19 March 2011.
- ^ 'Desperate bid to connect power at crippled nuclear reactor as radiation found in milk and spinach outside exclusion zone' Daily Mail 19 March 2011.
- ^ 'Radioactive particles found in Tokyo water supply as Japanese slap ban on food grown near wrecked nuclear plant' Daily Mail 19 March 2011.
References
- Takeda, Toru; Hishinuma, Tomio; Kamieda, Kinuyo; Dale, Leigh; Oguma, Chiyoichi (August 10, 1988), Hello! Fukushima - International Exchange Guide Book (1988 ed.), Fukushima City: Fukushima Mimpo Press
