NHK reported about the amount of radioactive substances measured by the members of the working group inside the buildings that house nuclear reactors Nos. 2 and 3 for the first time in the wake of the explosions at the power plant.

The results of the measurement said that the radioactive substances registered 50mSv/h at maximum inside reactor No. 2 and 170mSv/h at maximum inside reactor No.3.

It was reported that humidity and temperature were so high in reactor No. 2 that people can work there just for a quarter hour though the level of radioactive substances there is relatively lower than that of those in reactors Nos. 1 and 3.

The amount of radioactive substances measured inside the building of reactor No.3 was also obstructive to the recovery work.

An aide to the Japanese Prime Minister expressed his view at a press conference that it was difficult to work due to a high level of radioactive substances.

It was against this backdrop that the Tokyo Electric Power Co. on May 21 admitted the fact that the water contaminated by a high level of radioactive substances leaked into the sea from reactor No. 3 early in May. A total of 250 tons of contaminated water flew into the sea and its concentration is estimated to be about 100 times the legal level.

TEPCO announced that there is a total of 98 500 tons of water contaminated by radiation near the buildings that house nuclear reactors and in the basement, etc. at present.

It was reported that there is more such contaminated water inside the building which houses reactor No. 2 than in any other places.

Damage by radiation is increasing to make the prospect of the recovery work at the power plant gloomier.

Tokyo Shimbun reported recently that radioactive cesium beyond the legal level was detected on fodder collected in two pastures including that in Marumori Cho, Miyagi Prefecture.

Radioactive cesium was also found on tea leaves cultivated in Yatsimata City and Oamishirasato Cho of Chiba Prefecture and radioactive substances were detected in sewage in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

In the meantime, the killer quake-and tsunami-related death toll reached 15 188 as of May 23, said the National Police Agency.