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U.S. Military Provides Equipment to Battle Nuclear Crisis in Japan; New Trouble at Japan Nuclear Plant; Gas Prices Lower; Race to Leave Tokyo; Trusting the Information; American Teacher Survives Quake; Risking Lives to Avert Meltdown
Aired March 16, 2011 - 10:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Live from Studio 7, I'm Suzanne Malveaux. I want to give you up to speed for Wednesday, March 16th.
A new burst of steam and new fire at Japan's Fukushima nuclear complex. Authorities now believe that the containment vessels for two reactors are damaged and leaking radioactive debris. The steel and concrete shelves are designed to hold in nuclear material when something goes wrong.
And a helicopter tried dumping water on the reactors to cool them and prevent a total meltdown. But authorities aborted the mission after radiation levels spiked to dangerous levels.
And as radiation surged, the 50 workers remaining at the nuclear complex retreated to a safe room. Once levels fell, authorities sent 180 people back into the plant. Experts say the workers are putting their lives on the line to head off a potential nuclear catastrophe.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT ALVAREZ, INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES: Well, I think the workers at this site are involved in a heroic endeavor, because there is at least fragmentary evidence that in some places on this site, there are life-threatening doses of radiation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Japan's emperor addressed his nation today, an extraordinary event reserved for times of war or dire national crises. Emperor Akihito says he's touched by the Japanese people's calm and order in the face of disaster.
Well, foreigners scrambled to leave Tokyo today. France is urging its citizens to get out now, or at least head to southern Japan. A French minister says Japan has lost control of Fukushima. Evacuees say they don't trust the Japanese government to be forthcoming.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't believe what I've been told. You know, people are evacuating. All foreigners are evacuating. Large multinational companies, foreign companies are evacuating. So you don't really know what to believe. It's just better to play it safe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Harrowing new video of the moments the tsunami struck. People scream as they try to outrun the water.
This is said to be ground zero for the tsunami, a coastal town home to 17,000 people. Most are feared dead.
A CNN iReporter sent us this video of the moment the 9.0 earthquake struck. He shot it at a Tokyo department store. Remember, Tokyo is 230 miles from the epicenter of the quake.
Well, in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain today, security forces drove anti-government forces from a central plaza in Manama. Two protesters, as well as two police officers, were killed. Doctors at Bahrain's main hospital say security forces stormed the building to day, targeting medical staff.
More now on Japan.
The U.S. military is providing equipment to help crews battling this nuclear crisis. That is in addition to conducting relief and rescue missions.
Our Pentagon correspondent, Chris Lawrence, he has more on what the troops are doing and what steps the military's taking to protect them.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: We just learned that the U.S. military has given the Japanese two water trucks in order to help cool down that malfunctioning reactor at the Fukushima power plant. The Japanese workers were trained on how to use those trucks at a U.S. military base near Tokyo, and then those workers have now taken the trucks out to the power plant.
In addition, the U.S. military has now delivered more than 25 tons of food, water, blankets to survivors in the effected zone. They've also been running regular search and rescue missions right along the coastal areas.
Now, could the U.S. military decline a mission it felt was too dangerous for its troops? Of course. But as you look at the map, they've already started to take some precautions.
The USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group which had been close to shore has now been further, has moved further north away from that downwind plume of radiation. In addition, as we look at the second map, you can see that several ships that were supposed to go to the Pacific side have been rerouted to the Sea of Japan, on the western side of Japan, to try to get away from that radiation.
In addition, the helicopter crews that have been running regular missions into that affected zone have been told to keep their sleeves down, have been told to keep the windows closed in their helicopters, and some of them have been given the potassium iodide pills that can ward off the effects of radiation. Several of the helicopter crews have come back contaminated with radiation, but they were soaked down with soap and water. Their clothes and uniforms were destroyed. And when they were retested, they were founded to be all clean.
In addition, there are personnel, U.S. military, civilians, and their families living on bases there in Japan. As a precaution, they have been told to stay indoors as much as possible and to shut their external ventilation systems, again, simply as a precaution.
Chris Lawrence, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: Well, here's your chance to "Talk Back" about what the U.S. military's doing in Japan.
Our Carol Costello joins us with a question for you.
Obviously, Chris says there's a lot going on over there, and there's some serious risk to our troops.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. And it's pretty scary, frankly.
President Obama, though, has said this more than once. The United States will continue to offer Japan any assistance we can. And we are.
A half dozen Navy ships are off the coast of Japan, thousands of U.S. troops involved in relief efforts. This is no routine mission, it's one of unimaginable risk.
The Navy's already moved three ships away from the nuclear plant's radioactive cloud. And while U.S. troops are not on the ground trying to cool the leaking reactor, Navy helicopters continue search and rescue missions around there.
Second Lieutenant Jeremy Croft (ph) of the Marines told me, "We were ready and prepared to deal with anything we may come into contact with." And that could be radiation.
Indeed, two U.S. helicopter troops have been exposed to elevated levels, albeit low levels of radiation. And so far, the treatment for the radiation exposure is soap and water and potassium iodide pills.
Second Lieutenant Croft (ph) also told me the Marines have sent more protection to the area, but he could not elaborate.
So, will U.S. troops continue to provide whatever assistance Japan needs? And should they?
"Talk Back" question today: Are we asking too much of U.S. troops in Japan?
Send your thoughts to Facebook.com/CarolCNN, and I'll read your answers a little later in the hour.
MALVEAUX: I'm really curious about what people think, because obviously you have the citizens of Japan who are suffering so greatly, and then you have our U.S. military, who are there, didn't sign up for that job, but, you know, they've been also exposed to the danger.
COSTELLO: Well, they are on this humanitarian mission. They think it is their duty. But for their family and friends and loved ones back here in the United States, this is a scary time.
MALVEAUX: It's a scary time. Thank you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Sure.
MALVEAUX: Here's a look at what's ahead "On the Rundown."
A small army, an epic battle. Japanese workers are risking their lives to prevent a nuclear catastrophe.
Then, the exodus from Tokyo because of concerns about radiation.
Also, how trustworthy is the information that is coming from Japan's government?
Plus, new violence in Bahrain, where witnesses say security forces stormed a hospital.
And gas prices right here in the United States fall for the second day in a row.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I decided to come back to see where his house used to be. His wife and son were safe, but the house was destroyed. This was the house where he lived for over 30 years. Not one photograph was saved.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: That is tough to watch. It is a scene that is playing out hundreds of thousands of times in Japan, people who survived the earthquake and the tsunami, but they lost their homes, all of their belongings. As many as 450,000 people now are said to be homeless.
Well, on top of the natural disaster, Japan is coping with a nuclear crisis. Radiation levels spiked again today at the Fukushima nuclear plant. And earlier, another fire was spotted at one of the reactors.
Our CNN's Stan Grant is following the developments there. He's joining us from Tokyo.
And Stan, what is the latest on the condition of the plant? Can we start there? STAN GRANT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we will start there.
Big problems at two reactors today. We can talk about reactor 3, where there was a white cloud of smoke leading to speculation that there could be more problems surrounding this area, this casing that actually protects the core of the reactor. So that's causing a lot of concern.
In reactor number 4, a fire there, and that's raising speculation about a pool of water that may be overheating and evaporating, exposing spent fuel rods. Now, that may also put more radiation into the air, and that's been the big headline here today, Suzanne.
The radiation levels continue to go up, and then they come down. At one point they had to evacuate the workers there at the plant, having them come back in a little bit later.
An attempt to bring helicopters in to drop water over the area had to be aborted when they found those high radiation levels. And then there were traces of cesium and iodine in the water, radioactive elements in the water in Fukushima. Very, very low. It wasn't going to cause any harm to anyone. In fact, the official said you could drink that tap water.
But how do you convince people who have so much fear? There's a gap between people's fear at the moment and what they're actually being told by officials -- Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: Sure. And Stan, do we know -- is there a mass exodus out of Tokyo now? How are people dealing with a lot of the questions and even some of the misinformation and that fear you talk about?
GRANT: Yes, it really comes back to this question of fear, indeed. There have been longer lines at the airport, particularly among expats who have said, look, can I really trust what I'm being told here? What about my children? What about our health? What about the long-term risk? And they are leaving the country.
The Japanese, of course, are having to stay here. It is their home. They're having to live through this crisis. And they're having to rely very much on the information they're getting.
The prime minister has formed a joint taskforce to bring all the various elements together and streamline the process. And the emperor today, Akihito, today, absolutely unprecedented for him to make a public statement through the media today, actually appearing on television in a video address saying that he cares deeply for his people, saying he wants his people to pull together. And he says with that hope they can really build this country.
Those words resonating very, very strongly with the Japanese to give them hope at this time. An absolutely unprecedented move there from the emperor -- Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: Stan, thank you very much. A difficult time for them. We certainly hope that they remain optimistic during this time.
Thank you, Stan.
Well, 180 unnamed Japanese workers are on the last line of defense against a nuclear meltdown, if you can believe that. The level of radiation exposure they are encountering is terrible even to think about. They well may be sacrificing their futures, even their lives, to protect their country. These workers, heroes. But what weapons are they using to fight this disaster?
I'm joined by Jim Walsh. He's a CNN contributor and a research associate at MIT.
And Jim, I mean, if you think about it, it's just a small group, guys on the ground trying to fend off the worst disaster here. Describe what kind of challenge, what kind of task they are facing now just to keep that plant cool and to keep a nuclear catastrophe from happening.
JIM WALSH, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, it really is -- for me it's heartbreaking, and even emotional. It's a small group of people.
They have to wear suits. They're working in suits, so they're overheated, and they don't have the touch and feel of their hands. And they're having to work at night when there's no electricity, and so they have to use flashlights. And they're trying to battle fires.
At one time they have to be firefighters battling a fire, reactor number 4, and then they have to go over to reactor number 3 or 2 or 1 and try to pump seawater into it to keep the reactor cool. And then all the other sort of things that have to be done, taking measurements at the plant, trying to assess what's happening, trying to come up with plans to reduce the danger, you know, and do this hour after hour, day after day.
The mental stress must be terrific and the physical stress must be terrific.
MALVEAUX: And Jim, what do you think the odds are that they will succeed here when you take a look at everything that they have been facing over the last 24, 48 hours now?
WALSH: Well, you know, I'm a hard-wired optimist, Suzanne, and I still think that we can get through this. It's hard to say that every day when you wake up and there's something else that has happened. But I think the goal here is to sort of limit it to where we are at now.
And where are we right now? We have three damaged reactors. They're not going to get any better.
So the best we can hope for is to hold the situation where it is, we keep that seawater in there until after a couple of days, they cool down some more and confined to an equilibrium. And then, you know, it's like putting a lid on it. You just entomb them or shut them down and deal with that over a number of years. So, freezing the status quo. And then with reactors 4, 5 and 6, same thing, keeping the water pumped in there.
Those reactor rods are not going to cool down very quickly because they were recently removed. This was nuclear waste that was recently removed from those reactors. So this is going to have to be an ongoing challenge. And there, I think it's about fixing the pumping system, fixing the water system, doing whatever you have to do to keep water circulating and keep those fuel rods, spent fuel rods, the nuclear waste, covered in water and managing that heat.
And, you know, if you can get the reactor situation stabilized, then that might free up some, you know, attention and resources to focus on the other problem. The challenge here is you're dealing with all of these problems all at the same time.
MALVEAUX: Sure. And Jim, according to the IAEA, these guys who are down there encountering these levels of radiation that is about equivalent to getting 2,000 chest x-rays per hour, obviously it would be naive to think that these guys are not going to walk away with some serious, serious health damages and issues.
Why -- what do you think is going to be that damaging? And why these men? Shouldn't the international community be involved here?
WALSH: Well, I think the reason why these men is that they volunteered and no one else is doing it. You know, the utility executives are sitting back in their buildings, and these guys are left to do it. And they're doing it because, you know, it might be part of their Japanese character. It's also out of bravery and a commitment.
Remember, they live there. This is their community, this is their country, and they're really acting like heroes that we would talk about in any other setting.
They are also the people who know most about the plant. But there are other people who understand this plant.
This isn't the only plant of its kind in the world. There are other plants in the United States, plants like this. And so I think there is outside assistance that can be brought to bear.
But I think what's happened is the government has deferred to the utility, and then others have deferred to the Japanese government. The IAEA doesn't want to ruffle feathers. They want to be asked for assistance.
Japan is a member state, and the way these things work is you let the member state sort of ask for help before you do anything. But I think we all need to be a little more proactive here. And I think it's in the International Atomic Energy Agency's interest.
The worse this gets, the worse it is for nuclear power. And that's one of IAEA's main goals, is to promote nuclear power. It is in their interest to be more proactive, as it is for the U.S. and other governments to help here so that this does not become an international environmental event where radiation spreads to other countries.
So I think we've crossed the threshold of sitting and watching. It's time to be more proactive.
MALVEAUX: All right. Jim Walsh, thank you very much. We're going to talk with you a little bit later in the show about that very angle, the international angle, as well.
We're going to also talk with a former operator of three U.S. power plants about the last line of defense during a disaster. That's coming up in the next hour on CNN NEWSROOM.
Gas prices heading down finally after rising for 20 days straight. A live report from the New York Stock Exchange.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: Want to take you to CNNMoney.com's lead story now. It is the number of permits issued in February for future housing construction.
It actually fell to an all-time low. That's according to a government report released on Wednesday saying housing is still a big mess.
Taking a look at the end markets, as well, the Dow Jones down, we're seeing, by 117 points. It was just down 126 and 123 or so. Looking at those numbers fall just within the last 15, 20 minutes.
But we do have a bit of good news for you as well, for your wallets. Gas prices, down for the second day in a row after 20 days, straight days, of increases.
Our business news correspondent, Alison Kosik, she's joining us from the New York Stock Exchange.
Alison, we needed this break, I think. It was a little respite here, gas prices.
What do we think this is being attributed to?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know what, Suzanne? If you want to know about why gas prices are where they are, or why they're headed to where they are, you really want to look at oil prices, because oil makes up 70 percent of the price of gas.
So with that in mind, you want to go ahead and look at, over the past couple of months, where oil prices have been. So, if you look at this, you look at oil prices, they really were up sharply at the end of February because of all the unrest in the Mideast. I'm talking about what happened in Egypt, in Libya. So, sure, we saw gas prices spike for the past 20 days.
Now, at the end, at the right side of the chart there, you notice there's a small drop-off. It shows that oil prices have dropped in the past couple of days. That's because of all the devastation in Japan. It's the reason why we're seeing gas prices down over the past two days -- Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: Alison, explain to us about the markets here. They weren't looking too bad earlier this morning. We saw some pretty good numbers. Within the last 30 minutes or so, we've seen a pretty big drop here.
Can you tell us what happened?
KOSIK: Yes, you're talking about the Dow. It was sort of sitting lower about 50 points. Then, suddenly, it dropped 194 points.
It really shows how on edge investors are about what's happening in Japan. And here's what happened.
We got reports that the EU energy chief said that Japan's nuclear plant there is "out of control." So, of course, investors ran for the exits. They started selling.
You know, it's day after day we're getting these negative headlines out of Japan, and Wall Street is reacting, especially since what's happening in Japan is really open-ended. No one really knows how it's going to play out, and the market is really on edge about it and reacting instantaneously. Right now, Dow still holding its losses 132 points lower -- Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: All right. Thank you, Alison.
Checking other top stories.
It is now up to the Senate to decide if the federal government is going to get the money it needs to keep operating. The House passed a measure to extend the budget for three more weeks. Well, the extension buys some time for lawmakers to work out a deal for the rest of the fiscal year.
Thirty days into the unrest in Libya, an opposition leader says Moammar Gadhafi is bombing his way into another rebel-held city. The U.N. Security Council is today considering whether or not a no-fly zone will be placed over Libya.
And Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in neighboring Egypt. She toured Tahrir Square, which was the site of those huge anti- government protests. Clinton is promising Egypt $90 million to help out the economy.
And in Pakistan, CIA contractor Raymond Davis has been released from jail. A government official says that Davis was forgiven by the families of two men he killed in January. The statement came just hours after he was charged with murder.
And protests in Bahrain are turning now more violent. Demonstrators today reported hearing steady rounds of ammunition firing. At least five helicopters whirled above the Roundabout where anti-government protests have been held in recent weeks. Well, the government insists that no live ammunition was used and the only fatalities were two police officers who were run over by the protesters.
Our CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom, he's in Bahrain. He reports on a dire situation at the main hospital where a doctor, two people died when security forces stormed the building.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMMED JAMJOOM, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We spoke to medics. We spoke to doctors at Salmaniya Hospital. They told us, at least three of them, that they are locked inside the hospital, that they are trying to get out. They want to help the injured, but that there are security forces surrounding the hospital, surrounding the entrance, not allowing injured people in, not allowing doctors out.
Now, the government here has denied that stridently. They put out statements saying that those allegations are baseless. They're saying that the media is spreading lies.
Witnesses telling us something quite different. And we're also getting pictures that purport to be from inside the hospital, and we're hearing that more medics have been beaten up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Bahrain has a majority Shiite population. They've been demonstrating to demand more equality and job opportunities from the country's Sunni rulers.
And people are flooding Tokyo's airports to get out of town, even get out of the country. Our Kyung Lah is watching the exodus.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: Here's a look at what's ahead "On the Rundown."
How trustworthy is the information from Japan's government about the nuclear crisis?
Also, an American teacher in Japan survives the earthquake and finally makes contact with her family.
And homeless, but not hopeless. Survivors in a shelter, helping each other out.
And finally, Japanese workers risking their lives to prevent a nuclear catastrophe.
Well, people are filing into Tokyo's airports trying to leave the city, even though the nuclear crisis is some 200 miles to the north.
Our CNN Kyung Lah reports from the middle of this exodus.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) KYUNG LAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Winding lines, mothers comforting babies, no seats anywhere at Tokyo's Haneda Airport departure area. Across town at Tokyo's Narita International Airport, thousands waiting to leave the country. This is what an unprecedented mass exodus out of one of the world's most populated cities looks like, driven by concerns about the nuclear emergency in Fukushima nearly 200 miles away.
The ones able to leave Tokyo quickly, ex-patriots like Matthew Delboe.
(on camera): Are you really worried? You really think that there's something that's going to happen.
MATTHEW DELBOE, FRENCH CITIZEN: Two days ago, I felt there was no risk. Now I think it's stupid to stay when you can leave.
LAH (voice-over): This is an orderly mass departure. Remaining calm, a mark of Japanese civility even in the face of crisis. And this is a crisis noted in an unprecedented sight, Japan's emperor comforting his country in a nationally televised address.
A nation's quiet anxiety evident all over the city. Empty grocery store shelves as residents stockpile rations for a possible emergency and empty streets in downtown Tokyo.
(on camera): Normally, there are people lining up all down those stairs for that popular restaurant in this business district. Over here, you would normally see people also lining up to get food to carry out. You can see there's no one here.
This is highly unusual for the middle of the day on a Wednesday. Walk around over here, and this is one of the only ATMs in the area. There's normally people lining up all down this street. But you can see, there's no line today.
(voice-over): It's scary says this owner of a noodle shop, and lonely. No customers for restaurants to serve, but he's not leaving. I have my entire life here, he says. I can't just pull up and leave.
ZACH OGURA, TOKYO RESIDENT: I think it's, yes, overwhelming, yes.
LAH: Tokyo resident Zach Ogura says Tokyo is home and he's not ready to leave with his two sons yet. Emphasis on yet.
OGURA: At this moment in time, I don't worry. But I don't know, you know. Within maybe in a few days or so, that's -- I don't know.
LAH: That uncertainty keeping a country on edge and on the move away from the brewing threat to the north.
Kyung Lah, CNN, Tokyo.
(END VIDEOTAPE) MALVEAUX: Well, the president's energy secretary, Steven Chu, is weighing in now on the nuclear crisis in Japan. He is demanding more information on the possible threat to the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVEN CHU, ENERGY SECRETARY: The events unfolding in the Japan incidents actually appear to be more serious than Three Mile Island. To what extent we don't really know now.
And so, as they're unfolding very rapidly on an hour-by-hour, day-by-day basis and there are conflicting reports, and so we don't really know in detail what's happening.
This is one of the reasons why the Department of Energy, the NRC, are there with boots on the ground with detectors in the ground, not only to help assist Japanese power company and Japanese government, but also for our own sake to know what is really happening directly through our own instruments.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So in a situation as tenuous as the Japan nuclear crisis, should we be trusting the company in charge or even the Japanese government to be completely forthright about what is actually taking place, the danger on the ground and the danger to the rest of us?
I'm joined again by our CNN contributor Jim Walsh from MIT.
And, Jim, I have to say that at first it was somewhat of a relief to hear Secretary Chu say there are some Americans, some boots on the ground, some experts who are trying to sort this out.
But culturally, we know the notion of honor very much held high in Japan, saving face. Do you believe that the Japanese government is being straightforward with us?
JIM WALSH, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I think there are a couple of different things going on here, Suzanne. First of all, I think we have to cut them a little bit of a break here, because they may not know themselves what is going on here, and these events are changing every day and we're dealing with new events that we've never dealt with before. So we're trying to figure things out, solve problems, solve mysteries that -- where did this gas come from, did this rupture cause this sort of damage.
And so the problem is hard, number one, but when almost -- one also has to add to this that there's a history here and the history is not a very good one. Both the utility and the government in the past have had problems where they've misreported, underreported, falsified data about incidents in the past. So it's hard to come to this particular situation with a lot of confidence.
The other sort of thing here is I think you want to distinguish between sins of omission and sort of outright lying. And I don't know if anyone's lying and we won't know until, you know, months and years down the road, but with certainly the case that there's the sins of omission, that people are not saying everything they do know. And, of course, they don't have to say everything --
MALVEAUX: What do you think they're omitting?
WALSH: Well, yes, I think it would be helpful to know -- they give us the -- they sort of tell us , well, radiation has increased and decreased. Well, that doesn't tell you a lot. You'd want to know what the chemical character, the isotopic character of that radiation is. What type of radiation is it? What are -- what's in it? Is it cesium? Is it iodine? Are there other chemicals and substances that are being found? Where there other chemicals being found in air sampling and water sampling?
MALVEAUX: Tell us why that matters to our audience who they don't know the chemistry of it all.
WALSH: Yes. Well, it matters because it might give you clues about what's happening inside the reactor. It might tell you that -- something about the integrity of the containment vessel, whether it's just damage or whether, in fact, it has ruptured.
And it would tell you something about what's going on over at the spent fuel ponds, the places where they're keeping nuclear waste. And it would tell you something about how people should be protecting themselves going forward.
So you want to know what you're dealing with. You want to know the nature of the threat you face. And part of that is the level of radiation, but equally important is the kind of radiation and the substances that are involved. So I would want to know that.
I would want to know what was causing the fires of the reactor, you know, at the spent fuel pond. Was this just a coincidence that it happened twice? Was the fuel pond itself at risk? How close was the fire?
You know, and when they talk about damage to the -- potential damage to the reactor cores at reactors two and three, what does damage mean? Does that mean a crack? Does that mean stress? Does that mean a hole?
So there's a whole lot of things we don't know about, and often we find out about them much further down the line than we should have.
MALVEAUX: All right, Jim Walsh, thanks. Obviously, a lot of unanswered questions that we need to probe the Japanese government, the energy company, and those on the ground to find out exactly what is going on, the extent of the damage and the danger.
Jim Walsh, thank you for your expertise.
On this programming note, George Takei, Star Trek's Mr. Sulu, joins Ali Velshi today in the NEWSROOM 1:30 Eastern. The actor is discussing the crisis facing his ancestral homeland.
Well, five days after the tsunami and quake hit Japan, people are still searching for thousands of missing loved ones.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN SPECIAL INVESTIGATION CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): After twists and turns, we're finally there. Rachel takes a moment to update the list she keeps on her front door, friends who have made it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: CNN's Soledad O'Brien joins an American teacher returning to his devastated home for the first time.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: More than 11,000 people are missing in Japan. Often the search ends in grief, but our Soledad O'Brien reports that one ended with a reunion.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN (voice-over): A walk through the narrow streets of Kesennuma was stunning. The debris piled high, cars crushed and overturned, boats resting on sidewalks. It's a testament to the power of this tsunami, which roared through the city of 70,000 people just minutes after the earthquake shook the residents to their core.
But this morning, the ferry to and from the tiny island of Oshima was running again, and dozens of people lined up hoping to get to their loved ones, some who had been stranded for days.
Onboard, Paul Fails (ph), he turned 25 on Thursday, and by Friday, he's be a survivor of Japan's worst earthquake ever.
PAUL FALES: It was just everything -- all these building were collapsing, a lot like this. There was like cars were smashing down there, there was broken glass everywhere.
O'BRIEN: An assistant teacher on nearby Oshima Island, his classroom was on high ground, so he'd been safe. Now he was back in the town where he lives to witness the devastation firsthand. Starting with a visit to his apartment, a five-minute walk.
(on camera): How worried are you that your apartment's like that?
PAUL FALES: I don't -- from looking at this, I don't think it's going to be -- I think it'll be fine, really.
O'BRIEN (voice-over): But we're stopped by a street full of mud, debris, and water. We can't get through.
(on camera): What do you think? PAUL FALES: I'm wondering if we can go around.
O'BRIEN (on camera): You could try.
(voice-over): At every turn, the road is impassable.
(on camera): Your parents must be frantically thinking about you.
PAUL FALES: Yes.
O'BRIEN (voice-over): We find a way across glass and splinters of wood beams.
(on camera): Watch the nails, though, OK? Be careful.
(voice-over): But again, we can't get through. He's so close, but so far. And the closer we get, the more anxious Paul gets.
Suddenly out of the blue --
PAUL FALES: Rachel, hey. How are you? How are you?
How is David? Have you seen David at all?
They're fine.
O'BRIEN: It's his friend, Rachel Shook (ph). Also a teacher, she's his neighbor too. The three of us set off to find a way into the apartment, walking passed the oddities the stunning power a tsunami brings, like a boat perched on top of a car.
After twists and turns, we're finally there. Rachel takes a moment to update the list she keeps on her front door, friends who have made it. Then, Paul tries his key and he's in.
Inside, he tries to salvage medicine and food, but mostly it's a lost cause.
Back outside, while we're set up for an interview, Paul borrows my satellite phone to call his parents.
PAUL FALES: Hi, mom. Hi, dad. It's Paul. I'm just saying I'm alive and I'm safe right now in Kesennuma.
O'BRIEN: He gets voicemail and leaves a message. But during our interview, he discovers why his parents aren't answering the phone.
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, "AC360": One of our bookers, Ben Finley (ph), has been in contact with an American family, Peter and Mary Fails. They have been desperately looking for their son.
O'BRIEN: Paul's mom, Mary, and his father, Peter, already scheduled for an interview on "AC360" to discuss their missing son are thrilled.
PAUL FALES: Yes, I can hear you, dad. Hi.
PETER FALES: How are you? We really miss you.
PAUL FALES: I'm fine, dad. I'm alive, I'm OK.
MARY FALES: Hi, sweetheart. You sound wonderful.
PAUL FALES: Hi, mom. I am.
PETER FALES: And you've still got my hat there.
PAUL FALES: Yes, I still do. I'll get that back to you as soon as I can.
O'BRIEN: Soledad O'Brien, CNN, Kesennuma, Japan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: Millions of Americans are looking for work. We're going to tell you some professions that actually do not have enough applicants.
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MALVEAUX: If you're one of the 13.5 million unemployed people in this country and you're looking for work, you might be applying for the wrong jobs. Our Stephanie Elam tells us which professions are not receiving enough resumes.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Suzanne.
Two point eight million, that's how many job openings there were in January according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So where are these millions of jobs? CareerBuilder has a list of jobs where over the last six months there just weren't enough applicants. They looked at more than 45 million jobs, 40 million resumes and 140 million worker profiles to identify the greatest undersupply of job candidates.
First up, nurse practitioners. The perform many of the same duties as doctors, but at a lesser cost. CareerBuilder says with the over 30 million newly insured Americans as a result of health care reform plus an increase in retail health clinics and on top of the more than 70 million baby boomers turning 65 and joining Medicare, they estimate that's one every eight seconds, this is a job really in demand. The average salary is about $72,000, but you'll need a masters degree and to meet different state requirements.
Another major field for job right now is IT security. With IT theft the number one consumer complaint for the 11th year in a row, according to the Federal Trade Commission, sensitive information must be protected. The average salary for this job is around $92,000, but the job usually requires a specific skill set such as programming, network or data base expertise.
Now another tech job also looking for candidates, data base administrator, email marketer and also social media manager.
There are also some help wanteds for environmental engineers. With many companies and governments going green, lots of employers looking for folks with experience in recycling, waste management and pollution control. CareerBuilder points out that many of these jobs are backed by federal, state, and private funding, so there's money to be made and the average salary around $75,000.
Finally, sales engineers, they are also needed. This position, which usually requires that bachelors degree, helps close and manage deals making sure the sale goes as smoothly as possible. And sales engineers usually make around $77,000.
So that really shows you that there is money to be made out there in these jobs, Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: All right, thank you, Stephanie.
Well, the looting that often comes in the wake of a disaster seems noticeably absent in Japan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED NHK REPORTER: There are many people who have lost their houses and they're in the same boat. And therefore, they are cheering each other up and encouraging each other as they live day by day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: People left with nothing are leaning on each other.
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MALVEAUX: Friday's earthquake and tsunami in Japan left several hundred thousand people homeless; they have nothing left. But as this report from Japanese broadcaster NHK found, they have hope in each other.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED NHK REPORTER (voice-over): This is the Matsuiba Communican (ph) on Kesennuma Miyagi Prefecture where 450 people are now sheltered. Many people have lost their homes in the tsunami.
The women living in the shelters are cooking here. They say that helping each other is encouraging them to get by.
This woman says that there are many people who have lost their houses and they're in the same boat. And therefore, they are cheering each other up and encouraging each other as they live day by day.
The people at shelter says that they are looking for what they can do so that they can go through and get through these troublesome days. The Communican (INAUDIBLE) says that if people help each other, there will be a bright future ahead. He says that that is the hope that people here share.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: Here's your chance to talk back one of the big stories of the day. Thousands of U.S. troops involved in relief efforts in Japan, a half dozen Navy ships are on the Japanese coast, and they could all be at risk of expose sure to radiation from the damaged nuclear plant.
Our Carol Costello, she's joining us with responses in "Talk Back."
How do people feel about that?
COSTELLO: They have differing feelings on this. The "Talk Back" question today -- Are we asking too much of U.S. troops in Japan?
This from Jennifer, "In asking troops to enter war where there's a possibility they will see death isn't asking too much? Is it better than asking them to work a humanitarian mission"
This from Debbie, "I don't believe the risk is too great if they were defending their own country. However, I don't believe nuclear science is what your troops specialize in."
This from Adam, "We are not Americans, Japanese, Chinese, et cetera. We are all human beings, all one species that inhabit the small planet and we should all do whatever we can help each other, especially in a disaster."
And this from Mariah, "I am a flight medic in the Air Force and I've been waiting to get called to go. We all know when we sign on the dotted line that we are willing to take any risk that is presented to us."
Continue the conversation, Facebook.com/CarolCNN.
MALVEAUX: It's a big sacrifice they're making.
COSTELLO: Yes, it really is, as always.
MALVEAUX: Thanks, Carol.
Putting their lives on the line. Workers at a Japanese nuclear plant and their heroic battle to prevent a catastrophe.
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MALVEAUX: They are putting their lives on the line, trying to prevent a nuclear disaster in Japan.
Our CNN's Anna Coren reports on the plant workers' heroic mission, and the country's gratitude.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ANNA COREN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As smoke rises above the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, inside is a team of workers desperately trying to stop a potential nuclear disaster.
For days, they have been working tirelessly to prevent a meltdown and in acting as the country's last defense, they're facing exposure to dangerously high levels of radiation.
ROBERT ALVAREZ, FORMER DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICIAL: Well, I think the workers at this site are involved in a heroic endeavor, because there's at least fragmentary evidence that in some places on this site there are life-threatening doses of radiation.
COREN: Initially, 50 workers stayed after more than 700 employees were evacuated, but the government says the team's now increased to 180.
The power company has not released details on the workers, but a Japanese newspaper reports a 59-year-old man is among them. He volunteered for the job, he was only six months away from retiring. His wife telling him, please do your best to give relief to the people.
For the residents who have been evacuated from the immediate area, or those who live hundreds of kilometers away, the actions have evoked a great sense of pride.
I couldn't do it myself, explained Oweno Tatataka (ph). I think it's a wonderful thing they're doing, because they're saving lives.
I believe in the power of the workers, said Mayomotso Mashahiko (ph). I just hope they can do their work safely.
(on camera): People here in Tokyo and across Japan know too well the sacrifice these men are making. But as the world waits to see if the situation can be contained, many believe not enough is being done to assist these workers.
JIM WALSH, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: People have to continue to try to be there to manage this with the hope of getting one, two and three to a point of stability. But they can't do it by themselves. That's why I'm saying the government has to step in, and IAEA, they're supposed to be protecting all of us here, and they are nowhere to be seen.
COREN (voice-over): The government it's considering seeking help from the U.S. military. But in the meantime, it's up to workers left inside this plant to save a nation from a catastrophe.
Anna Coren, CNN, Tokyo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: In just a minute, we're going to talk with a former operator of three U.S. power plants about the last line of defense during a disaster. That's going to be in the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM.
