The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency departed for Tokyo on Thursday to assess the worsening nuclear crisis in Fukushima sparked by a massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami.
Yukiya Amano said Wednesday that he hoped to see the situation for himself and gather detailed information from Japanese authorities to learn how best the IAEA can help.
After a short stay in Japan, Amano was expected to return to Vienna and discuss Japan with the 35-nation IAEA board of governers.
Japan on Tuesday asked the IAEA for assistance in monitoring the environment and assessing the impact of radiation on human health. It also asked that IAEA experts be sent to Japan to join efforts with local experts.
Amano pointed out the situation at the tsunami-scarred Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant is "very serious," adding that "it is not yet time to say that things are out of control."
(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2011) |