Japan says leak of waste was covered up at A-plant

The Japanese government disclosed that a potentially hazardous leak of tons of radioactive waste from a nuclear power station was hushed up for more than 40 days by the plant's operators. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry ordered an immediate check on all Japan's 22 nuclear power stations after the discovery that operators of the Tsuruga plant failed to report a radioactive waste leak -- the second cover-up at the plant this year.

The spillage occurred March 8, but the accident was not reported to the authorities a s required by law, the Trade Ministry said.