Plutonium Ship to Steer Clear of Land
Associated Press
TOKYO —
Japan, facing a storm of protest over its decision to ship 1.7 tons of radioactive plutonium from France, said Monday that the vessel will stay 200 nautical miles from other countries on its journey to Japan.
This rules out the most direct sea routes from France to Japan, including passage via the congested Strait of Malacca and the Panama and Suez canals.
The Akatsuki Maru left the French port of Cherbourg on Saturday. The Japanese government has refused to say what route the 3,800-ton ship will take.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
