Fukushima Alert Raised

On fears that storage tanks are leaking contaminated water at Fukushima, Japanese officials on Wednesday raised alerts to the highest levels since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that prompted a meltdown. Japan’s chief cabinet secretary called the situation “deplorable” and said he feared it could become the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency said on Wednesday that it is are taking the situation “seriously” and is prepared to help out if needed, while China’s foreign minister said he was “shocked” to learn that contaminated water is still leaking. The plant’s operator, Tepco, has been accused of not being prepared for the disaster, and of covering up how much the crisis has spread.