Safe to Stay 32km of Fukushima N-Plant: U.S. Official

Washington, March 30 (Jiji Press)--The chief U.S. nuclear regulator said Wednesday it is deemed safe to stay 32 kilometers away from the troubled nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan.
"So far, the data coming out of the plant continues to show that the safe distance there is approximately 20 miles," Gregory Jaczko, chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said at a Senate energy subcommittee.
The comments came after Washington advised U.S. citizens on March 16 to evacuate within a range of 50 miles, or some 80 kilometers, around the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
The advice stirred up controversy because the Japanese government asks residents within 20 kilometers of the plant to leave the area while those living in 20-30 kilometers are advised to stay indoors.
Jaczko defended the March 16 advice, saying the United States at the time "gained a limited amount of information that led us to believe that there was a possibility of a further degradation in the conditions" at the plant.
"I would stress that that was based on limited information and was a conservative and prudent decision that we made," Jaczko said.
Jaczko told reporters after his testimony, "We provide information and assistance if they require," showing his readiness to continue to give full support to help Japan cope with the crisis.