A Japanese nuclear safety panel said Saturday radiation levels were 1,000 times above normal in a reactor control room after a huge quake damaged a plant's cooling system, Kyodo News said.
Public broadcaster NHK, quoting nuclear safety officials, said there was "no immediate health hazard" to nearby residents from a possible minute leakage, and people were urged to evacuate the area calmly.
The elevated reading was taken in the control room of the No. 1 reactor of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, said the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Kyodo News said that the discovery suggested radioactive steam could spread around the facility, which is located about 250 kilometres (160 miles) northeast of Tokyo and operated by Tokyo Electric Power.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan said early Saturday that residents living within 10 kilometres (six miles) of the plant must evacuate, before stepping onto a helicopter to head for the area.
His government on Friday declared an atomic emergency and told thousands of residents living within a smaller radius of three kilometres, to evacuate, warning a small amount of radiation could be released.
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