JAPAN FACING AN PRECEDENTED NUCLEAR CRISIS

      The international Atomic Energy Agency said excessive levels of radiation at Onagawn nuclear power plant led authorities to reports a state of emergency there. Japanise authorities have informed the IAEA that the first or lowest state of  emergency at the plant has been reported by the Tohoku Electric power company' Kyodonews agency reported citing fire department officials that late in the night the cooling system in the Tokai nuclear power plant failed.
   In south western Japan, the 1,421 metre Shinmoedake voleano erupted on Sunday 13th March,2011 ringing alaram bells as ash and rocks shot up in to the sky but it was not immediately clear it it was a fallout of the massive earthquake.
  In a televised stateement, Prime Minister Naotokan said Japan was experiencing its biggest crisis since world war II as it tackled the aftermath of the massive earth quake, the ferocious tsunami and worrying nuclear crisis.
 Thousands of military personnel and civilians joind hands in a massive search and rescue operation. 1.80 lakh people were evacuated from a 20 km radius from Fukushima nuclear plant joining over 3.5 lakhs who have alredy moved out from the region. More than 2.15 lakh people to be living in 13,50 temporary shelters in five prefectures in quake-hit areas.
   International disaster relief team are being sent to Japan ,with the UN helping to co-ordinate the operation.Japans government said it expected a considerable economic impact from the disaster. Quake alone would exact an economic toll estimated at between $14.5 billion and $ 34.6 billion, with out taking in to account the effects of the tsunami.
  The Bank of Japan plans to pump massive funds in to markets on Monday, 14th,March,2011 in a bid to help them stabilize following the linked disasters.
 The quake and the tsunmai have damaged or closed down key ports, although airports such as Tokyo Narita have since reopened. Many top Japanise firms have said they are suspending operations. Automakers Toyots, Nissan and Honda have announced the total suspension of production in  Japan until at least Monday. Sony Corp suspended production at its six plants in Miyagi. On Sunday, Mitsubhishi said it would halt production at all three of its domestic plants on Monday and Tuesday.
   Japan's nuclear industry provides around a third of the nations power needs, and the shut down of reactors will lead to a  short fall in electricity supply that will make power outrages necessary, the government warned. Millions are already with out electricity

Prof. John Kurakar