Japan’s nuclear regulatory authority apologized Monday after finding errors in its recently announced projections for the spread of radiation from reactors nationwide in the event of severe accidents. The Nuclear Regulation Authority revised the projections for eight out of the sixteen nuclear plants across the country, including Kyushu Electric Power Co.’s Genkai plant in Saga Prefecture and Sendai plant in Kagoshima Prefecture. The simulation showed the distances at which doses could reach 100 millisieverts a week after severe accidents at the plants like the one at the Fukushima Daiichi complex last year. The International Atomic Energy Agency calls for evacuation when effective doses exceed 100 millisieverts in the first seven days of an emergency exposure situation. The projection was incorrect due to errors in both direction and distance estimations. Under the revised projections, Itoshima is now excluded from the evacuation zone, while Matsuura City (Nagasaki) is now included in the evacuation zone. Sources: Nishinippon 10/30, http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20121030k0000m040083000c.html
