The government and Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Tuesday they have successfully achieved consistent and stable cooling of the reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 plant and will by mid-January reduce the amount of radioactive materials being released.
They also said some evacuated residents may be able to return home after "Step 2" is completed.
With "Step 1" — stable cooling of the reactors — complete, Tepco said it will now try to bring them into a state of cold shutdown.