Fukushima state opens its first beach since nuclear disaster

Japan's Fukushima state has opened its first beach to swimmers since last year's nuclear disaster after judging the water to be safe.

About 1,000 people descended on Nakoso beach, about 40 miles south of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, where three reactors melted down after the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami.

The opening was celebrated with beach volleyball games and hula dancers from a nearby spa.

Iwaki city official Joji Kimura said negligible radiation was detected in water at the beach. Airborne radiation was measured at 0.08 microsieverts an hour, far below dangerous levels.

Swimming had been banned at all beaches in the state since the disaster last March.

AP