The government was aware of the possibility of a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant the same day the complex was hit by the earthquake and tsunami last March, according to a summary released Friday of meetings at the emergency headquarters.

The possibility was pointed out by an unidentified attendee at the first meeting, which started at 7:03 p.m. March 11 and lasted about 20 minutes. The earthquake struck at 2:46 p.m.

The summary suggests the government, from the beginning of the accident, had in mind the worst case scenario at the plant but was reluctant to actively disclose information to the public.