First cancer case confirmed for nuclear worker

October 20, 2015

First cancer case confirmed from Fukushima cleanup

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20151020_27.html

Oct. 20, 2015 - Updated 07:03 UTC+2

Japan's labor ministry has confirmed the first cancer case related to work at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

The worker was involved in recovery and cleanup efforts at the plant after it suffered a meltdown in March 2011. He was in his late 30s at the time.

He has been diagnosed with leukemia and the ministry has approved workers' compensation. Radiation exposure has been linked to the onset of leukemia.

The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, says more than 44,000 people have been involved in the decommissioning work since the disaster.