Chernobyl and Fukushima

The original sarcophagus over the crippled Chernobyl plant has been cracking and leaking radiation, March 20, 2014. (S. Herman/VOA)

Illustration of a next-generation small nuclear reactor being transported via truck.

A man and a child are checked for radiation exposure in Fukushima in wake of the reactor meltdowns, March 13, 2011. (S. Herman/VOA)

A new sarcophagus (show under construction in 2014), the world's largest movable object, is to be placed over the Chernobyl plant in 2017, March 20, 2014. (S. Herman/VOA)

A family picnics across the bay from the Monju nuclear reactor facility in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, Sep. 25, 2012. (S. Herman/VOA)

Feedwater heaters in the turbine building at the experimental Monju fast breeder reactor facility in Japan, Sep. 25, 2012. (S. Herman/VOA)

A road sign leading to the Fukushima-1 Nuclear Power Plant, April 13, 2011. (S. Herman/VOA)

The ferris wheel at the abandoned Pripyat amusement park adjacent to Chernobyl, March 20, 2014. (S. Herman/VOA)

A monument at the Chernobyl Fire Station to 32 of its crew who died responding to the explosion at the #4 reactor, March 20, 2014. (S. Herman/VOA)

Japanese rally in Tokyo against restart of nuclear power plants, July 6, 2012. (S. Herman/VOA)