Japan issues nuclear emergency, ship swept away

Japan's top government spokesman says the country has issued a state of emergency at a nuclear power plant after its cooling system failed. There was no radiation leak.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano says the nuclear power plant in Fukushima developed a mechanical failure in the system needed to cool the reactor after it was shut down in Friday's earthquake.

He said the measure was a precaution and there was no radiation leak at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant. He said the facility was not in immediate danger.

Meanwhile, a ship carrying 100 people was swept away by the tsunami which smashed into northeastern Japan on Friday following the massive 8.9 earthquake, Kyodo news agency reported.