11. Characterizing the Crisis at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
- Author:
- David Albright and Christina Walrond
- Publication Date:
- 04-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Institute for Science and International Security
- Abstract:
- During the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power reactors following the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, the Japanese Safety Authority issued ratings for the accident on the International Nuclear Events Scale (INES). Initially, it stated that the incident was a level 4, but it subsequently raised the levels assigned to each reactor, with the majority receiving a level 5. Table 1 indicates the latest ratings issued March 18 by the Japanese authority, where it has parsed the ratings based on accidents at individual reactors. Although the radioactivity is emitted from different reactor buildings, it represents a collective hazard to public health. As such, the accident should be judged comprehensively, not only in component parts. Simply because some aspects of the crisis were not as catastrophic as others does not lessen the overall severity of the accident. ISIS continues to assess that the accident is a level 6.
- Topic:
- Nuclear Power, Crisis Management, Disaster Management, Fukushima Disaster, and Earthquake
- Political Geography:
- Japan and Asia