US Navy personnel have been storing low-level radioactive material, including cloths used to decontaminate aircraft used in Fukushima relief efforts, at the Sasebo Naval Base in Nagasaki Prefecture. Sasebo city officials were unaware of the materials and will ask the central government to dispose of it. Monitoring stations near the base have shown no raised levels of radiation.
Yahoo Japan has published an online map, updated every five minutes, showing radiation levels in 11 areas of Japan. The data is uploaded by researchers from Keio University, and the number of monitoring stations is expected to increase in the future.
As a result of issues surrounding caesium-contaminated beef, Japan will no longer vouch for the safety of Japanese foods, according to a statement by Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto.
Frustrated that the central government is not acting fast enough, the town of Minani-Soma in Fukushima Prefecture will begin decontamination of the city in August and September, except for areas in the no-entry zone. Government officials will work with scientists from the University of Tokyo to map areas of decontamination and treat them. Volunteers and workers from non-profit organizations will assist with treating private homes. The city government has set aside 960 million yen for initial cleanup costs, and has yet to decide if they will hold TEPCO and the central government responsible for the costs.
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