Japanese company removes 2 rods from nuclear plant core

The Japanese Tokyo-based electric power giant (TEPCO) has embarked on the removal yesterday of two non-depleted nuclear rods packed with fuel from the Fukushima nuclear power plant as part of a delicate and complicated process to reduce the risk of more radiation escaping from the reactor's core. Some 1,535 rods in a spent-fuel pool next to reactor No. 4 at the Fukushima No. 1 plant in northeastern Japan would eventually be moved to safer storage – the process is expected to take until the end of next year, according to well-informed sources. The building containing the pool and reactor was destroyed by an explosion following the failure of cooling systems after a massive earthquake and tsunami hit the northeastern part of the country in March 2011. The cores of three reactors melted down. Japanese TV reports showed cranes removing the 4-meter (13-foot) rods. TEPCO declined comment, citing the need for diligence in handling nuclear material. (IY)