Eleven reactors at four sites near Japan’s northeast coast were shut down per seismic emergency procedures, following the 9.0 magnitude that struck last week.

Five reactors at two sites in the Fukushima prefecture declared emergencies due to loss of normal site power and backup emergency power.

The Japanese government has declared a state of emergency and ordered the evacuation of all residents within a twenty-kilometer radius of plant 1 (Daiichi) and a ten-kilometer radius of plant 2 (Daini).s

Evacuees are being monitored for the presence of contamination. The Japanese media have reported that three operators at the Fukushima Daiichi plant have signs of radiation sickness, according to news reports.

The nuclear plants affected by the earthquake represent 18 percent of Japan’s electricity-producing capacity.

Reactors damaged during the last Japanese earthquake were taken off-line for a protracted period, to allow detailed mechanical testing and inspections.

Next Steps

Clients may refer to Marsh's Disaster Recovery Portal for regular updates and Marsh specialists' contact information. Marsh has also set up a hotline where clients may direct insurance questions and notify a potential claim.

Marsh’s local dedicated claims team and client executives have been mobilized to support our clients in their business recovery.

For real-time research and forecasts of natural catastrophes, please refer to Guy Carpenter's Cat Central bulletins.

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