Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano's briefing

Secretary Edano had little brand new information, at least so far as the nuclear accident mitigation and management issues are concerned.

His one comment, only after a query, was that the smoke from No. 3 is hard to quantify as the building is seriously damaged, but investigation and monitoring continues.

He also did provide the fact that the radioactive contamination detected in the seawater is not presently a threat to the public health, but naturally the government, now aware of the situation, will continue the monitoring.

Still expecting a TEPCO briefing, and probably a plant status document at about noon or slightly later; also expecting the results of the decisions as to whether or not to perform water sprays on No. 3 and No. 4 plants at noon local time, Tokyo.

10:25 PM Eastern Monday 3/21
ATOMIC POWER REVIEW