Oceans further threatened by latest radioactive leak from Fukushima-Daiichi

As much as 40 US gallons of highly radioactive waste water from a crippled Fukushima nuclear plant has leaked to the Pacific, including highly harmful strontium, linked with bone cancers, that has spread to the open ocean. The water leaked to the sea is believed to contain 26 billion becquerels of radioactive materials, according to plant owner, TEPCO. The Fukushima nuclear disaster is responsible for the world's worst nuclear sea contamination. Ocean contamination has been measured at 100,000 becquerels per cubic liter. Al Jazeera looked into the effect on fish and fishermen.

Cesium found in Japan baby formula

Traces of radiation spilled from Japan’s hobbled nuclear plant were detected December 6 in baby formula manufactured by Meiji Co, a major food and candy maker. The formula had been manufactured in March. The company has recalled the formula although the Japanese authorities insist there is no risk to babies' health. This despite the scientifically-held position that there is "no safe dose" of radiation and studies that show prolonged exposure to low levels of radiation can be harmful.

Pets to be rescued from Fukushima zone but only if owner requests it

Animal welfare groups will be allowed into the 12-mile exclusion zone around the stricken Fukushima-Daiichi reactors to rescue pets, but only if the owners requested it. Under frustratingly restrictive conditions, groups cannot pull any animal they see in need but only if permission has been granted by the owners, challenging rescuers to identify these animals many of whom are now semi-feral. Rescuers will be limited to 5-hour stints or less in the zone to avoid harmful health effects.

Iconic Japanese filmmaker envisioned multiple reactors exploding near Tokyo in 1990

Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998, pictured at left), one of the most famous filmmakers in Japan and indeed internationally, depicted multiple atomic reactors exploding in quick succession in the "Mount Fuji in Red" segment of his 1990 film "Dreams," released 21 years before the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe unfolded in reality. A blog written a week after the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe began commented on Kurosawa's prescience. Kurosawa depicted "nuclear nightmares" in other of his films, including his 1955 "I Live in Fear" and his 1991 "Rhapsody in August" touching on the Japanese experience of atomic bombs. 

Fukushima Reactor(s) Leaking Again; Hydrogen Building Up

"Although the initial accident took place in the Spring, the reactors at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant again have mounting pressure from hydrogen. Workers are trying to reduce the pressure by spraying nitrogen. Should hydrogen levels go too high, additional explosions could occur." Huntington News