Japan uses robots to measure radiation at nuclear plant

Remote-controlled robots are being sent into the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant to measure radiation levels, reports BBC. The readings from two reactors showed a harsh environment for humans to work in, complicating efforts to stabilise the damaged reactors. It comes a day after the plant operator said it expected to bring the crisis under control by the end of the year. New opinion polls suggest a majority of people in Japan are dissatisfied with the government's handling of events. The polls, published in three national newspapers, suggest that Japanese people are losing patience, more than a month after the country was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami. Two-thirds of those surveyed said they backed increased taxes to pay for reconstruction, the cost of which has been estimated at $300bn (£184bn) - the most expensive natural disaster in history. Engineers are still struggling to bring the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant under control after vital cooling systems were knocked out by the tsunami. Emergency workers have been unable to enter any reactor building since the disaster. Elevated levels of radiation were measured by robots inside the buildings housing reactors No 1 and 3 on Sunday. The readings showed a harsh environment that would make it difficult for workers to carry out crucial repair work. The plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco) said exposure to radiation levels in the No 3 reactor for four-and-a-half hours would exceed the emergency safety limit for power plant workers. Oxygen densities in both buildings were about 21%, high enough for workers to enter the buildings, the firm said. Tepco is planning to send robots to take measurements inside the No 2 reactor later on Monday. The plant operator said it hoped to reduce radiation leaks in three months and to cool the reactors within nine months. Top government spokesman Yukio Edano acknowledged that Tepco's plans were feasible, but warned there could be unforeseen setbacks.