US assistance

US: will continue assistance on Fukushima clean up

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140312_20.html 

The US administration says it will continue to support Japan's efforts to deal with the Fukushima nuclear accident of March, 2011.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney issued a statement on the 3rd anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan. The disaster crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Carney said that March 11th is a solemn day to remember those who lost their lives, and to honor the resilience of the Japanese people.

He said the Americans stand side-by-side with the Japanese as they continue the long task of rebuilding impacted lives and communities.

Carney added that the support offered by the government and the people of the United States is a clear sign of their unwavering and enduring friendship and admiration for the Japanese people.

The statement said the US-Japan alliance is the bedrock of peace and security in the Asia Pacific region.

He stressed that the United States will continue assisting Japan in cleaning up areas affected by the nuclear accident and other daunting but indispensable tasks related to the accident.

Mar. 12, 2014 - Updated 02:11 UTC

US NRC chief offers continued help for Japan

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140312_18.html 

The head of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has offered to continue to cooperate with Japan's regulatory body.

Allison Macfarlane was delivering a speech near Washington on Tuesday, the 3rd anniversary of the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Macfarlane said the US NRC has made good progress in instituting safety enhancement as a result of lessons learned from the Fukushima accident.

She explained that her commission has been taking measures to prepare for a total loss of power and simultaneous accidents hitting multiple reactors.

At a news conference after the speech, Macfarlane praised the work of Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority, launched after the Fukushima accident in 2012.

She said the Japanese regulator has an enormous amount of work to do. She said the authority has to redevelop standards for waste material, as well as work through license applications for plants to be restarted.

Macfarlane said the NRC is offering Japan all the help it can provide.

Mar. 12, 2014 - Updated 02:10 UTC