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Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant

Endoscope Captures First Glimpse Inside Crippled Japanese Reactor

This photo, taken by a remote-controlled endoscope and released by Tokyo Electric Power Co., shows structures assumed to be small size piping or cable conduit inside the beaker-shaped containment vessel of No. 2 reactor at the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. Tepco/AP hide caption

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Tepco/AP

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Endoscope Captures First Glimpse Inside Crippled Japanese Reactor

January 19, 2012 • Though blurred by steam and radiation, the images provided some information about the conditions inside the reactor.

Japanese Officials Declare 'Cold Shutdown' Of Crippled Reactors

Workers in protective suits and masks wait to enter the emergency operation center at the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power station on Nov. 12, 2011. David Guttenfelder /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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David Guttenfelder /AFP/Getty Images

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Japanese Officials Declare 'Cold Shutdown' Of Crippled Reactors

December 16, 2011 • If correct, it's an important milestone in the long effort toward recovery from the nuclear disaster triggered by a March 11 earthquake and tsunami. But skeptics fear the government's claim is premature.

Japan's Prime Minister: Nuke Plant Stable By Year's End

This file handout picture shows workers spraying water to cool down the spent nuclear fuel in the fourth reactor building at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. TEPCO/via AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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TEPCO/via AFP/Getty Images

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Japan's Prime Minister: Nuke Plant Stable By Year's End

December 9, 2011 • Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said the temperatures at the plant have fallen below boiling point.

Crippled Japanese Nuclear Plant Continues To Leak Radioactive Water

This handout picture, taken by Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) shows radioactive water on the floor inside the building of a water treatment facility at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. TEPCO/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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TEPCO/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Crippled Japanese Nuclear Plant Continues To Leak Radioactive Water

December 5, 2011 • About 45 tons of contaminated radioactive water have leaked and about 300 liters of it has made it into the Pacific Ocean.

To Assure Japan, Official Drinks Water From Fukushima Puddle

Japan's Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Yasuhiro Sonoda drinks a glass of decontaminated water taken from puddles inside the buildings housing reactors 5 and 6 at the Fukushima No. 1 plant.

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Jiji Press/AFP/Getty Images

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To Assure Japan, Official Drinks Water From Fukushima Puddle

November 1, 2011 • The Japanese MP had previously said he was so sure of its safety, he would drink a glass of water taken from inside the building of the crippled nuclear power plant.

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Report: Fukushima Released More Radioactive Material Than Was Estimated

October 27, 2011 • The unpublished study claims that the amount of radioactive material released into the atmosphere could be double what the Japanese government estimates. Scientists cautioned, however, that emissions measurements are imprecise.

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Japan Takes Nuclear Agency Away From Trade Ministry

August 11, 2011 • Japan is removing its nuclear safety agency from its trade ministry, dissolving a relationship that was criticized during the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster. The news came as Prime Minister Naoto Kan again confirmed his intention to resign, possibly by the end of this month.

The Two-Way

Japanese Industry Minister Fires Three Nuclear Officials, Plans To Resign

August 4, 2011 • Japan is firing three top nuclear energy officials, nearly five months after the country's Fukushima nuclear disaster. And Banri Kaieda, the industry minister in charge of energy policy, said that he will resign after he replaces the officials.

The Two-Way

'All Nuclear Plants' Need Safety Reviews, U.N. Expert Says

June 20, 2011 • In the U.S., meanwhile, "federal regulators have been working closely with the nuclear power industry to keep the nation's aging reactors operating within safety standards by repeatedly weakening those standards," the AP reports.

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Fukushima's Plan To Put Radiation Badges On Children Not Pleasing Parents

June 15, 2011 • Those parents say the government should be evacuating everyone 18 and under and any woman who is pregnant, not waiting three more months and then only issuing badges that will be checked one a month to determine exposure.

Obama To Visit Tornado-Hit Town; Japan Confirms Nuclear Meltdown

The tsunami flows over sea walls towards TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on March 11, 2011. This photo was taken by Tokyo Electric Power Company. TEPCO/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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TEPCO/AFP/Getty Images

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Obama To Visit Tornado-Hit Town; Japan Confirms Nuclear Meltdown

May 24, 2011 • President Obama will visit Joplin, Missouri Sunday; tornado death toll at 116; nuclear fuel meltdown at Fukushima plant but material still contained; Chrysler will repay its debt to the U.S. government; Bob Dylan turns 70

Flooding Crests In Vicksburg; U.S. Diplomats Attacked In Pakistan

A levee protects a home surrounded by floodwater from the Yazoo River near Vicksburg, Mississippi on May 18, 2011. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

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Flooding Crests In Vicksburg; U.S. Diplomats Attacked In Pakistan

May 20, 2011 • Mississippi River crests in Vicksburg, Miss.; concerns about oil and gas wells in projected flood zone; Libya has released foreign journalists; U.S. diplomats attacked in Pakistan; Japanese nuclear utility loses billions as leader resigns; one of North Korea's leaders is visiting China.

Japanese Utility Closes Nuclear Plant To Build Better Tsunami Defense

An aerial view of Chubu Electric Power's Hamaoka nuclear power plant in February 2005. STR/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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STR/AFP/Getty Images

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Japanese Utility Closes Nuclear Plant To Build Better Tsunami Defense

May 9, 2011 • Chubu Electric Power will suspend nuclear production at its Hamaoka plant south of Tokyo. Last Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan asked the utility to stop nuclear production there, because the plant lies atop a fault line and just off the Pacific Ocean.

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Japan Asks Utility To Shutter Three Nuclear Reactors

May 6, 2011 • Citing the risk of devastating earthquakes, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan asked Chubu Electric Power to close three nuclear reactors at its Hamaoko nuclear plant

Workers Enter Japanese Reactor Building For First Time Since Disaster

April 29: An image from video taken by Tokyo Electric Power Co. as robots explored the nuclear reactor building of Unit 1 at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant. TEPCO/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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TEPCO/AFP/Getty Images

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Workers Enter Japanese Reactor Building For First Time Since Disaster

May 5, 2011 • Working two at a time for 10 minute shifts because of the "high levels of radioactive substances," the team members will first install an air purifier. Later, they will install a new system to circulate cooling water within the reactor.

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