Japan PM calls situation at nuke plant 'grave'

TOKYO. March 25. KAZINFORM Japan's prime minister says the situation at the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant remains "grave and serious;" Kazinform refers to China Daily.

In a televised address Friday evening, Naoto Kan warned that "we are not in a position where we can be optimistic. We must treat every development with the utmost care."

He also apologized to farmers and business owners around the plant for damage caused.

Nuclear safety agency officials said Friday they suspected a breach in the reactor core of one unit at the plant. The complex was damaged by a March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

That could mean more radioactive contamination in the evironment; Kazinform cites China Daily.

See www.chinadaily.com.cn for full version