US scientists find lessons from Japan nuke crisis

(AP) A group of American scientists are meeting in Tokyo to find lessons from the Fukushima nuclear accident to improve the safety of U.S. reactors.

Norman Neureiter, head of the 22-member committee of the National Academy of Sciences, said the disaster at Fukushima and its continuing impact have caused widespread concerns about the safety of nuclear energy.

Neureiter told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the committee will hear from Japanese officials and conduct its own investigation. He said the findings would be valuable to the nuclear industry throughout the world.

The group will compile a report to be released in April 2014.

A tsunami generated by a powerful earthquake hit the Fukushima nuclear plant in March 2011, knocking out power and cooling systems and causing partial meltdowns in three reactors.