Radiation levels rise as Japan grapples with biggest natural disaster

TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese government official says the level of radiation at a troubled nuclear plant has exceeded the legal limit, underscoring the continuing problems with reactors rattled by Friday's massive earthquake and the ensuing tsunami.



Naoki Kumagai, an official at Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, insists there's no need to be overly alarmed by the radiation rise at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, although he says the level is higher than the legal limit.



He said Monday that the levels would be much higher if the reactor were on the verge of a meltdown.



Friday's 8.9 magnitude quake that shook northeastern Japan caused major problems at six reactors. But the danger is greatest at two reactors at Dai-ichi, where one explosion occurred Saturday and a second is feared.