New Earthquake Awakens New Concerns, Daiichi Poses More Problems

---

Researched by Industrial Info Resources East Asia (Kofu-shi, Japan)--A magnitude 6 earthquake struck 10 kilometers south of Mount Fuji at 10:31 p.m. JST on Tuesday, March 15. The quake's epicenter was approximately 100 kilometers northeast of Hamaoka nuclear power station, which is owned and operated by Chubu Electric Power Company Incorporated (TYO:9502) (Chuden) (Nagoya, Japan). Units 1 and 2 have been decommissioned due to poor earthquake resistance, and Unit 3 is currently inactive due to scheduled maintenance. Units 4 and 5 are operating as normal with no disruptions or trouble.

At 12:00 p.m. JST Wednesday, March 16, Tokyo Electric Power Company Incorporated (TYO:9501) (TEPCO) (Tokyo, Japan) announced that 70% of the fuel rods of Daiichi Unit 1's reactor sustained damage.

At 5:45 a.m. JST, the reactor housing of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station Unit 4 had begun burning again. The explosion the day before opened two 8-meter holes in the side of housing, and officials have not yet been able to enter the building to investigate the extent of the damage.

Higher levels of radiation have been detected in the Tokyo and Chiba areas, although they have been determined to be relatively harmless. Even if precipitation occurs, the levels within the greater metropolitan capital area are not high enough to pose a health risk.

View Project Report - 1081529 1081519 1056602

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. IIR's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.