Gov't eyes 'several months' in ending release of radioactive substances
TOKYO, April 3, Kyodo
It could take ''several months'' for the release of radioactive substances from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant to be halted, a key aide to Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Sunday.
''What will follow that stage is the goal of stabilizing the plant by installing a perfect cooling mechanism for the reactors,'' Goshi Hosono told a live Fuji TV news program.
''It would be unforgivable to allow the further release of radioactive substances into the environment and cause public anxiety,'' he added.
Speaking to reporters after the program, Hosono indicated that the government will set separate time frames for halting the release of radioactive materials into the atmosphere, seawater and ground.
''Although the plant has not yet emerged from its critical situation, it has recovered some stability,'' he said.
==Kyodo
Artist image of a possible future Fukushima Daiichi sarcophagus (amateur drawing) :