When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Japan

Japan Upgrades Fukushima Alert To Highest Level Since 2011 Meltdown

BBC, REUTERS, AL JAZEERA

Worldcrunch

TOKYO - The Japanese nuclear agency upgraded the severity level of a toxic leak at the Fukushima nuclear power plant from 1 to 3 on the International Nuclear Event Scale (0 to 7). The raising of the toxic level Wednesday marks the first time Japan has issued such a warning since three reactor meltdowns after the massive earthquake and tsunami of March 2011.

Highly radioactive water was found to be leaking from a storage tank into the ground at the plant on Monday, according to the BBC. On Tuesday, officials confirmed that about 300,000 litres of contaminated water had leaked from a tank designed to hold overflows from the site.

According to Reuters, the leaked water is so contaminated that a person standing close to it for an hour would receive five times the annual recommended limit for nuclear workers in a year.

The plant operator TEPCO said the leak does not pose an immediate threat to the sea because the tank is about 100 meters from the coastline, according to Al Jazeera. But a watchdog spokesman said the water could reach the sea via a drain gutter.

Plant workers have surrounded the leaking tank with sandbags and have attempted to suck up the radioactive water. But a BBC reporter in Tokyo said it is clear that most of the toxic water has already disappeared into the ground.

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Geopolitics

D.C. Or Beijing? Two High-Stakes Trips — And Taiwan's Divided Future On The Line

Two presidents of Taiwan, the current serving president, Tsai Ing-wen, and her predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou from the opposition Kuomintang party, are traveling in opposite directions these days. Taiwan must choose whom to follow.

Photo of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, is traveling to the United States today. Not on an official trip because Taiwan is not a state recognized by Washington, but in transit, en route to Central America, a strategy that allows her to pass through New York and California.

Ma Ying-jeou, a former president of Taiwan, arrived yesterday in Shanghai: he is making a 12-day visit at the invitation of the Chinese authorities at a time of high tension between China and the United States, particularly over the fate of Taiwan.

It would be difficult to make these two trips more contrasting, as both have the merit of summarizing at a glance the decisive political battle that is coming. Presidential and legislative elections will be held in January 2024 in Taiwan, which could well determine Beijing's attitude towards the island that China claims by all means, including force.

Keep reading...Show less

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

The latest