Japan's NRA urges Tepco to prevent mishaps at crippled Fukushima nuke plant

Japanese nuclear regulator has urged Tokyo Electric Power Co. (Tepco) to improve working conditions at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant and prevent mishaps at the utility.

Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) Chairman Shunichi Tanaka addressed Tepco President Naomi Hirose at a meeting on Monday expressing serious concerns about the frequent problems occurring at the troubled reactor, ABC News reports.

Hirose confided that the nuclear plant is having trouble finding experienced workers, but promised to send more staff from other plant sites of Tepco to Fukushima, the report added.

The incidents in recent months at the Fukushima plant have raised international concerns about Tepco's ability to tackle the crisis.

Tepco detected increased levels of beta-ray emitting substances, including strontium, in a drainage ditch and an observation well in past few weeks.

This has raised alarm about radioactive water leaking out to the Pacific Ocean on a daily basis and safety of marine life in the surrounding areas.