Earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant radiation levels spiked Tuesday at a quake-damaged nuclear power plant in north-eastern Japan following a series of explosions and a fire affecting its reactors. Right now the nuclear plant is experiencing a meltdown in three of six reactors at the Fukushima facility. Hope now is that the containment buildings hold the molten reactor cores. Should any one core breach its containment building, we will see a repeat of Chernobyl. In the meantime, I would expect that overpressures and possibly more explosions will result in significant release of radioactive steam into the atmosphere.
As the day's trading unfolded, the losses on European bourses began to mount after stocks in Tokyo plummeted 10.55 per cent. At one point on Tuesday, shares in Japan were down by 14 per cent.
The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 index dropped by 3.69 per cent to 159.94 points after Japanese authorities warned of the rising radioactivity levels.
All Japanese manufacturing will be affected. I suspect significant price increases of most Japanese goods over the next year. I also suspect Takahashi telescopes and accessories will command a premium in the next few years. Of course, prices could go the other way if the Dollar gains against the Yen. Hard to say at this point. Anyone else care to speculate?
As the day's trading unfolded, the losses on European bourses began to mount after stocks in Tokyo plummeted 10.55 per cent. At one point on Tuesday, shares in Japan were down by 14 per cent.
The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 index dropped by 3.69 per cent to 159.94 points after Japanese authorities warned of the rising radioactivity levels.
All Japanese manufacturing will be affected. I suspect significant price increases of most Japanese goods over the next year. I also suspect Takahashi telescopes and accessories will command a premium in the next few years. Of course, prices could go the other way if the Dollar gains against the Yen. Hard to say at this point. Anyone else care to speculate?
Scott Busby
A.K.A. Reconair
Carpe Noctum
Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth.
- Ptolemy,c.150 AD