TEPCO’s shady history
In 2002, Tokyo Electric Co. admitted to falsifying its records of nuclear inspections and hiding the facts for more than a decade. Ironically, the information came from a whistleblower at GE, which helped build the plants and has contracted with TEPCO on operational matters for decades.
Also -
GREAT map here showing all current alerts - scroll over bottom for icon descriptions http://nhss.cr.usgs.gov/
The Japanese cultural norms of passivity and blind acceptance of statements made by those in authority is in the process of severe rupture, no pun intended. When people are pushed to the brink, they demand straight talk and stop believing the empty statements of leaders. The Japanese government has badly handled the nuclear incident and each new development increases the sense of panic. Look for Japanese immigration to the US and other western countries to increase exponentially in the coming months as people look for safe haven.