Nervous Japan MP drinks water from Fukushima n-plant

Nov 01, 2011 |

IANS

TOKYO

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A Japanese MP became nervous and his hands shook as he drank water collected from near the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant in a bid to prove it was safe.

Yasuhiro Sonoda, who works as the cabinet office's parliamentary spokesman, drank the water taken from puddles under two reactor buildings during a televised news conference after reporters challenged him, BBC reported.

Journalists have repeatedly queried the safety of the water there.

"Just drinking doesn't mean safety has been confirmed. Presenting data to the public is the best way," Sonoda said.

Government officials say they are confident over the plant's safety, and have invited journalists to visit the site on November 12.

It would be the first time journalists tour the area since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that wrecked the plant, causing partial meltdown in three reactors.

A 20-km exclusion zone is still in force around the plant, and thousands of people have abandoned their homes.

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