And staying in Asia...
Japan appears to be moving closer to releasing the first batch of groundwater from the Fukushima Nuclear Plant.
Paul, should we be concerned of radiation or other environemental risks from this mass dumping?
Well, the Tokyo Electric Power Corporation... that runs the nuclear plant... says no.
It says the conclusion was reached after the groundwater passed detailed safety tests.
A joint analysis, with other Japanese energy and chemical agencies, also found that levels of radioactive isotopes in the water... such as cesium-137,... were well below safety thresholds
According to Japan's national broadcaster NHK,... the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant... could release some 560 tons of groundwater into the Pacific Ocean... as early as May 21st.
The Americn ambassador to Japan... Caroline Kennedy... visited the crippled power plant on Wednesday, pledging U.S. support for the nuclear clean-up.
"The United States has always done all we can to support the people of Japan as they face a very, very tragic disaster and have made a great progress in recovering, and we're staying ready to help in anyway we can in going forward in the future."
The Fukushima Daiichi station suffered a triple meltdown in March 2011... when the country was rocked by an earthquake and tsunami.
It's considered the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.
