Japan says radiation near nuke plant poses health risk

TOKYO: Radiation levels near a quake hit nuclear plant are now harmful to human health, Japan's government said after two explosions and a fire at the crippled facility on Tuesday.

The crisis at the Fukushima No.1 plant, local 250 kilometres northeast of Tokyo, has now spread to four out of its six reactors following on Friday's quake and tsunami which knocked out cooling systems.

"There is no doubt that unlike in the past, the figures are the level at which human health can be affected," said chief government spokesman Yukio.