Farm Products Contaminated Near Japanese Nuclear Plants

The full damage from the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan has yet to be felt in full, not only in Japan, but also on a global scale. From the computer parts industry, to the auto industry, to agricultural production, it’s just now becoming clear that damage from this tragedy could have a wider reach than first expected.

The Japanese auto industry will undoubtedly be greatly impacted as Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi have halted several production lines and exports have to be checked for radiation exposure, slowing down the process. Several U.S. car manufacturers may also feel the effects, as many car parts and components, for a variety of U.S. car makers, are made in Japan.

In the country’s agriculture sector, Japan has also confirmed the radiation contamination reports of some agricultural products near a nuclear power plant. This is likely to deal a heavy blow to the country’s agriculture in the Tohoku region, which was hardest hit by the disaster.

Yukio Edano, the chief Cabinet secretary, said high levels of radiation have been detected in milk in Fukushima Prefecture region and spinach from Ibaraki Prefecture region have been found to be contaminated. Edano told reporters that there is no immediate health risk and the government would soon regulate shipments of farm products from the affected areas. ◆