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Japan Criticizes Accident Response - AP News Article
The following article was posted 3/27 on the AP web site. Does anyone know if this report is available in English, and if so, the URL?
Thanks!
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Japan Criticizes Accident Response
Updated 9:20 AM ET March 27, 2000
TOKYO (AP) - The government released a report Monday criticizing its reaction to the nation's worst-ever nuclear accident last year.
The report said the government failed to quickly gather and disseminate information to local governments, ministries and agencies, and was slow in issuing directions.
More than 400 people were exposed to radiation Sept. 30, 1999, at a uranium processing plant about 70 miles northeast of Tokyo. One worker died, the first victim of a nuclear accident in Japan.
The accident occurred when workers at the plant ignored regulations and combined nitric acid with seven times the approved amount of enriched uranium, setting off an uncontrolled atomic reaction.
The government task force recommended that the Cabinet strengthen worker education programs, provide more training for doctors and nurses to treat radiation-related illnesses, and set up a group to research crisis management systems.
The government has been criticized in the past for responding slowly to disasters, including the 1995 Kobe earthquake, which killed 6,000 people and destroyed 250,000 homes.
Jim Hardeman, Manager
Environmental Radiation Program
Environmental Protection Division
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
4244 International Parkway, Suite 114
Atlanta, GA 30354
(404) 362-2675 fax: (404) 362-2653
Jim_Hardeman@mail.dnr.state.ga.us
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