Magnitude-9.0 Earthquake Slams Japan

Japan opens doors of No 1 reactor building

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-08 22:43

TOKYO - The operator of the troubled Fukushima No 1 nuclear power plant opened the doors of the No 1 reactor building on Sunday after obtaining the approval from the Japanese government's nuclear safety agency.

The move was considered to be paving the way for efforts to stabilize the damaged reactor.

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said it has assessed that opening the double-entry doors at the facility would not have impact on the environment, according to local media report.

Tokyo Electric Power Co., known as TEPCO, said earlier Sunday that the level of radioactive substances in the No. 1 reactor building was low enough so it would pose no threat to environment if the door was opened.

The Japanese government and the utility have been battling to keep the plant crippled by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March under control. It is still leaking radioactive substances into environment.