As the death toll from this month's quake and tsunami neared 10,000, concerns emerged over the health of babies after elevated radiation levels in Tokyo's tap water extended the nuclear plant crisis into the capital.
At least 9,523 were confirmed dead by early Thursday as a result of the March 11 disaster, with 16,067 more missing and 2,755 injured, the National Police Agency said.
Concerns rose as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant continues to deal with the effects of the quake and tsunami waters.
Government authorities, soldiers, Tokyo Electric Power Co. workers and firefighters from Tokyo and Yokohama resumed work Thursday -- a day after they were evacuated -- to try to prevent the further release of radioactive material.
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Still, the plant's woes have spread, including in the metropolis of Tokyo some 240 kilometers (150 miles) to the south.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Tokyo households with children age 1 and younger will receive bottled water from the government.
This comes after samples of the city's water supply taken Tuesday night found 210 becquerels of radioactive iodine per kilogram of water -- two times higher than the limit the government considers safe for infants.
About 80,000 households with infants will get bottled water, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported......Thanks to CNN
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