US Defense Department to checkon sailors' health

January 16, 2014

US to check sailors' radiation risk

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140116_13.html 

The US Defense Department is to conduct a health survey of US sailors who took part in the relief efforts for the March 2011 quake and tsunami in Japan.

The House of Representatives passed a budget bill on Wednesday that would mandate a survey. The Senate is expected to pass the bill this week.

The bill calls for the Pentagon to report back to Congress by mid-April on the condition of the US naval servicemen who reported health problems after taking part in the relief operation. It also requests details of the measures taken by the US military to stave off radiation exposure.

Some US sailors have filed a lawsuit with a US court against the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, Tokyo Electric Power Company.

The plaintiffs include crewmembers of the USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. They claim they were exposed to radiation from the meltdowns at the plant and have an increased risk of developing cancer. They blame Tokyo Electric for failing to provide accurate information about the nuclear accident.

Jan. 16, 2014 - Updated 03:04 UTC