(Reuters) - A prolonged drought in China could hit grains output in key growing regions, further squeezing global supplies and putting upward pressure on prices, but plentiful domestic wheat stocks will act as a cushion and keep import volumes low.
During Monday, May 2, Kyodo News sent an urgent headline reading, URGENT: “Radiation leaks from fuel rods suspected at Tsuruga plant: local gov’t”
Leaks of radioactive materials from fuel rods have been suspected at a nuclear power plant in Tsuruga, located 200 miles west of Tokyo, citing a rise in the level of radioactive substances in coolant water.
They are now shutting down the No. 2 reactor of the plant on the Sea of Japan coast to examine the primary cooling system.
According to Japan Atomic, 4.2 becquerels of iodine-133 and 3,900 becquerels of xenon gas were detected per cubic centimeter Monday, up from 2.1 and 5.2 becquerels, respectively, during previous measurements conducted last Tuesday.