Japan earthquake

Live updates of developments after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, selected by Reuters.com editors and readers. To see updates from Reuters only, click "Options" and turn off comments.

3rd & 7 37yd

BBC is reporting that New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key, whose country is dealing with the aftermath of its own earthquake crisis in Christchurch, confirms a rescue team will be sent to Japan. He says: "It's likely that the complete team of 48 will be leaving within the next 24 to 48 hours. We want to offer whatever support we can."

by Reuters_Helen Cook 3/12/2011 2:20:15 AM
People, in a floating container, are rescued from a building in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

by Corinne Perkins 3/12/2011 2:24:36 AM
Japan is scrambling to reduce pressure in two nuclear plants damaged after the huge earthquake and tsunami struck its northeast coast probably killing at least 1,300 people.

A day after the biggest quake on record in Japan, the government said it was still too early to grasp the full extent of damage or casualties. The confirmed death toll so far is almost 300, though media reports say it is at least 1,300.

"Unfortunately, we must be prepared for the number to rise greatly," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told reporters. www.reuters.com

by Reuters_Helen Cook 3/12/2011 3:59:50 AM
More than 45 countries have offered to help Japan, the United Nations said. Here is a list of aid offers. www.reuters.com

by Reuters_Helen Cook 3/12/2011 4:01:12 AM
The growing risk of a significant radiation leak at two Japanese nuclear power plants threatens to hurt an industry that has enjoyed a rebirth since the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 and the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Read more on this from our analysts here: www.reuters.com

by Reuters_Helen Cook 3/12/2011 4:32:36 AM
Japan Finmin Noda: important task for next few days is to save lives

by Reuters_AdityaKalra 3/12/2011 4:37:29 AM
Ships tossed ashore by a tsunami following an earthquake are seen in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan March 12, 2011.REUTERS/Kyodo

by Reuters_david.lalmalsawma 3/12/2011 4:42:55 AM
Japan Finmin: want to closely watch how financial markets react on Monday

by Reuters_AdityaKalra 3/12/2011 4:45:56 AM
Latest slideshow of Japan earthquake in.reuters.com

by Reuters_david.lalmalsawma 3/12/2011 4:54:08 AM
Media are reporting Japan is scaling back tsunami warnings for much of the country.

by Reuters_Helen Cook 3/12/2011 4:54:26 AM
How are they doing at Fukushima plants at the moment?

by raistlin6 3/12/2011 5:12:26 AM
we sympathize with the Japanese people in the face of this natural calamity

by steve, manila 3/12/2011 5:12:34 AM
what's the latest on the nuclear power plants, pls? anybody?

by steve, manila 3/12/2011 5:12:36 AM
To all the people in Japan: Godspeed. The whole world watches in amazement at your resilience.

by Manaf 3/12/2011 5:12:38 AM
Japan nuclear authorities say high possibility of meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi No.1 reactor - report

by Reuters_david.lalmalsawma 3/12/2011 5:15:54 AM
I have 15 Years in the Nuclear powerplant business. IMHO if they cannot get the cooling water flowing ASAP, I strongly feel we cou;d be looking at a TMI/Chernobyl reactor containment breachwhich will spread a great deal of radioactivity over the Northern Pacific and eventually to Alaska and the West Coast of the USA. I wish I was wrong, but I doubt it. Pray to G-d for divine intervention people. I am as serious as a heart attack.

by James 3/12/2011 5:17:51 AM
Say What?

by D Morris 3/12/2011 5:17:55 AM
Please source the statement.

by D Morris 3/12/2011 5:19:43 AM
Unconfirmed live TV news report of contamination detected.

by C 3/12/2011 5:19:44 AM
@James Naoto Sekimura, a professor at the University of Tokyo, said a major radioactive disaster was unlikely. "No Chernobyl is possible at a light water reactor. Loss of coolant means a temperature rise, but it also will stop the reaction."

by Tony Tharakan 3/12/2011 5:20:30 AM
@Reuters_David: report from where? Whom? As D. Morris says, "say WHAT?"

by malthaussen 3/12/2011 5:20:59 AM
radiation or it didn't happen.

by blinky 3/12/2011 5:21:00 AM
Can someone estimate the number of dead in Japan?

by HDrick50 3/12/2011 5:21:01 AM
No news on the Power Plant website since the venting to release vessel pressure. There were two reports involving an increase of temperature in the system beyond 100°, during a transfer of cooling fluid. The evacuation is 10km from the plant.

by Delphic_Dave 3/12/2011 5:21:40 AM
Jiji News is reporting the high possibility of a nuclear meltdown. We will keep you up-to-date on this.

by Reuters_Helen Cook 3/12/2011 5:22:28 AM
@D Morris. The report about high possibility of meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi No.1 reactocr came from Jiji news agency

by Reuters_david.lalmalsawma 3/12/2011 5:22:54 AM
www.tepco.co.jp - Source

by Delphic_Dave 3/12/2011 5:22:55 AM
NHK says Cesium detected near Fukushima #1.

by mr 3/12/2011 5:23:04 AM
Currently impossible to estimate number of dead.

by C 3/12/2011 5:23:08 AM
The news is being sensational. There is practically no threat of a meltdown. The worst case scenario is that there's a leak, and people around the site are evacuated.

by No worry 3/12/2011 5:24:23 AM
NHK is reporting the confirmed death toll is more than 700, but that is certain to be low.

by Jim 3/12/2011 5:24:37 AM
Source - www.tepco.co.jp - There were two reports of an increase in system temperature beyond 100° in the early morning during a coolant transfer. Venting of gas was government ordered and carried out after the evacuation was increased to 10 km, to lower vessel pressure.

by Delphic_Dave 3/12/2011 5:25:07 AM
what are the prevailing winds in the region? if there were a meltdown, would they blow the radiation out to sea or inland?

by plaque 3/12/2011 5:25:11 AM
Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) says temperature of Fukushima Daini No.3 reactor core has fallen back below 100 degrees Celsius. The temperature had earlier risen above that level when control of pressure was lost.

by Reuters_david.lalmalsawma 3/12/2011 5:26:27 AM
Evacuating 45000 people and a 10klm radius indicates they are extremely worried about something occurring.

by C 3/12/2011 5:28:07 AM
This kind of power plant is nothing like Chernobyl. It would take a powerful earthquake right under it to break the containment barrier. The reason they're worried is that they may need to seal the plant because it can't be used any more, not because it is a major danger to others.

by No worry 3/12/2011 5:30:14 AM
Does this mean the threat of a meltdown has been averted from the temperature decrease?

by MIke 3/12/2011 5:30:15 AM
@mike Biggest threat is at reactor #1 temperature dropping is at reactor #3

by raistlin6 3/12/2011 5:31:25 AM
A man and boy walk between houses destroyed by a tsunami and earthquake in Sendai

by Tony Tharakan 3/12/2011 5:31:40 AM
The possibility of a nuclear meltdown is for reactor No. 1

by Reuters_Helen Cook 3/12/2011 5:31:46 AM
@Reuters : Kyodo news is stating Caesium is now detected and another report stating meltdown may be occuring. Can Someone explain the different reports

by ChrisM 3/12/2011 5:32:04 AM
Pray for Japan and all others affected.

by Jack 3/12/2011 5:32:22 AM
Fukushima Nuclear Plant reactor number 1 Daiichi facility is seen in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. REUTERS/Kyodo

by Tony Tharakan 3/12/2011 5:34:52 AM
Temperature rising beyond 100°C would mean all the water became steam and began to super heat. - Thermodynamics - Steam Tables.

by Delphic_Dave 3/12/2011 5:35:55 AM
Unconfirmed reports indicate Cesium detection is related to partial melt down.

by C 3/12/2011 5:36:47 AM