Japanese nuclear crisis: an issue of trust?

For almost a week Japan‘s nuclear experts have been struggling to suppress meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant after Friday’s major earthquake and tsunami which destroyed areas of the north east coastline.

Initially officials said nuclear plants across the country were under control but as time passed the events on the ground appeared sometime different from what officials were saying.

Nuclear crisis: timeline

Friday 11 March
– A cooling problem reported at Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is reported after water floods generators designed to keep reactors cool in the aftermath of an earthquake.

– Later the government declares an emergency at the plant as a precaution and says there is no radioactive leak.

Saturday 12 March
– TEPCO indicates for the first time that radiation levels at the Fukushima Daiichi plant are rising.

– People within a 10km radius of the Fukushima plant evacuated

– Footage captures the moment a hydrogen explosion destroys the outside of reactor 1.

– The Japanese Government says there was no large amount of radiation leakage outside due to explosion.

Sunday 13 March
– The Government warns that reactor 3 could explode as cooling problems continue, but they attempt to reassure people by saying the unit is designed to protect the reactor core in such a situation.

– TEPCO considers pumping seawater into reactor 2, the first time a problem is reported there.

Monday 14 March
– A third explosion is seen at reactor 3.

– The Government says a large-scale radiation leakage is unlikely from this reactor.

– As a precaution residents within 20 km radius are evacuated.

Tuesday 15 March
– Explosion at reactor 2.

– Prime Minister says the risk of nuclear leakage is rising, and warns people within a 30km radius to stay indoors.

– A no-fly zone is established for a 30km radius around the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Wednesday 16 March
– A fire is discovered at northwest corner of the unit 4 reactor building.

– Images show steam being produced from a fuel pool at reactor 3.

– The Government says it is not realistic to think that reactor 4 at the plant will “reach criticality”.

– Water is being poured into reactors No.5 and No.6 at the plant as cooling attempts continue.

Thursday 17 March
– A Japanese military helicopter begins spraying sea water on the plant in a bid to bring dangerous temperatures down.

– Japan’s nuclear safety agency says a pool for cooling spent nuclear fuel at reactor 4 remains a serious concern – The US Nuclear Regulator Commission said on Wednesday there was no water in the pool.