12 April 2011 Last updated at 09:21 GMT
Japan: Nuclear crisis raised to Chernobyl levelHidehiko Nishiyama, spokesman for Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency: 'This doesn't mean people's safety is in danger'
Japanese authorities have raised the severity rating of their nuclear crisis to the highest level, seven.
The decision reflects the total release of radiation at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi power plant, which is ongoing, rather than a sudden deterioration.
Level seven previously only applied to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, where 10 times as much radiation was emitted.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said radiation leaks at the plant were declining.
The Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), the operator of the plant, would soon provide a schedule for getting it under control, he said at a news conference.
"Step by step, the reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi power plant are moving toward stability," he said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13045341
