Radioactivity released by the Fukushima accident posed a low risk to Japan's population, said the World Health Organisation. It expects no observable health effect in the wider population, but raised estimations of cancer risk for two towns.
A large twisted steel truss has been removed from the fuel pool of Fukushima Daiichi 3 as part of efforts to clear debris from the pond and service floor area.
The installation of steel columns next to Fukushima Daiichi unit 4 marks the start of construction on a cover that will aid in the removal of fuel. This is the second cover to get underway at the site.
_64x48.jpg "Fukushima Daiichi 4 cover, March 2013 (Tepco) 64x48")
The frame of a structure to cover Fukushima Daiichi 4 has reached the third level and is now higher than the reactor building. It will enable the removal of used reactor fuel from the storage pool.)72x48.jpg "Fukushima Daiichi 4 area and central storage facility 28-29 March 2011 (Tepco) 72x48")
Radiation levels across the Fukushima Daiichi power plant site have dropped significantly as clean-up efforts continue. Most workers receive less than 1 milliSievert of radiation per month - well within normal limits.
The latest aerial survey of the Fukushima region reveals a pattern of contamination significantly reduced in the space of a year by natural processes of radioactive decay and dispersal..jpg "Fukushima Daiichi 3 pond February 2013 a (64x48)")
A camera inspection of Fukushima Daiichi 3's used fuel pool has revealed no damage to stored fuel, but a huge amount of concrete sediment on the racks._66x48.jpg "Truss removal at Fukushima Daiichi 3, February 2013 1 (Tepco) 66x48")
A large twisted steel truss has been removed from the fuel pool of Fukushima Daiichi 3 as part of efforts to clear debris from the pond and service floor area.
The first layer of steel framing for a cover that will allow removal of used fuel from Fukushima Daiichi unit 4 has been completed.
Decontamination work is accelerating in Fukushima City but a huge task remains with over 100,000 homes still to be treated.
Another area in the zone surrounding the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has had its evacuation status revised by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
Plans for the construction of a protective cover over the damaged reactor building of Fukushima Daiichi unit 3 have been announced by Tokyo Electric Power Company.