Japan PM “feared the country would collapse” — “It was truly a spine-chilling thought”

Ex-PM feared for Japan's survival in nuke crisis

He said he summoned then-TEPCO President Masataka Shimizu for an explanation, but he "never told me anything clearly."

At about that time, the U.S. government, which had been providing assistance from the start, was becoming frustrated, Kan said.

"We were not told straight out, but it was obvious that they questioned whether we were really taking this seriously," Kan said. Japan then sent a pair of helicopters to pour water over one of the reactors in a largely unsuccessful attempt to cool it down. He said the move had a "symbolic" effect that eased some concerns

Some 100,000 people from around the plant have been evacuated. While the amount of radiation leaking from the plant has dropped significantly, authorities say accumulated radiation in the soil and vegetation may make it difficult for residents to return to their homes for some time, perhaps years.

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