Japan MP Yasuhiro Sonoda drinks Fukushima water

LONDON. November 1. KAZINFORM A Japanese official has drunk water collected from the quake-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, after reporters challenged him to prove it was safe; Kazinform refers to BBC.

Yasuhiro Sonoda appeared nervous and his hands shook as he downed a glass during a televised news conference.

The water he drank was taken from puddles under two reactor buildings. It is decontaminated before being used for tasks such as watering plants.

Journalists have repeatedly queried the safety of the procedure.

Mr Sonoda, who serves as the cabinet office's parliamentary spokesman, told the news conference: "Just drinking [decontaminated water] doesn't mean safety has been confirmed. Presenting data to the public is the best way."

Tsunami damage

In another sign of the government's growing confidence over the plant's safety, officials said they would allow journalists on to the site on 12 November.

It will be the first time journalists have toured the area since the 11 March earthquake and tsunami wrecked the plant, causing partial meltdowns in three of its reactors; Kazinform cites BBC.

To learn more go to www.bbc.co.uk