Keep us informed, China tells Japan

A Japan Air Self-Defence Force CH-47 Chinook helicopter collects water from the ocean to drop on the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant. [Reuters]

China has expressed its concern over the Japanese nuclear disaster, urging its Asian neighbour to release in a timely and precise manner information on its unfolding crisis.

The Japanese government has repeatedly said that while the situation at the earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant is grave, it is under control.

But Beijing remains fearful of radioactive contamination from its stricken neighbour.

Japanese military helicopters have been dumping tonnes of water onto the stricken power plant but its still not clear whether that has managed to cool down temperatures inside the plant.

Hayden Cooper reports that helicopters and fire trucks have been spraying water on reactor no. 3 at Fukushima, in norht-east Japan.

But one report says only half the water from the helicopters landed on target.

Radiation levels showed only a slight drop immediately after the operation.

The Tokyo Electric Power Company is hoping to restore some electricity supplies so cooling systems can be restarted.

The Japanese Prime Minister spoke for half an hour to the US President Barack Obama on Thursday.

America offered to send nuclear experts to help overcome the crisis.

Japan has also instructed local authorities to start screening food for radioactivity.

It is the first time Japan has set radiation limits on domestically produced food.

The health ministry says the limits are in line with an anti-disaster program prepared in advance by the government's atomic power safety commission.

The limits vary according to the type of food.

Bt officials say they are set to internationally accepted levels and average intake in the Japanese diet.

Several Asian nations say they will screen food imported from Japan for radiation, while the European Union has called for similar checks.
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