Kan vows to protect residents

Prime Minister Naoto Kan says he will do his utmost to safeguard the health of residents near the unstable Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant.

At a news conference on Saturday, Kan said unexpectedly powerful tsunami waves interfered with the operation of back-up systems when the plant's operations were halted.

The prime minister said he had decided to expand the evacuation area around the nuclear plant from 10-kilometer radius to a 20-kilometer radius.

Kan added he would take all necessary measures and do his utmost to keep residents from harm.

Saturday, March 12, 2011 21:33 +0900 (JST)