The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says Japan's tsunami-hit nuclear plant is steadily making progress to contain damage from the crisis.
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said he is optimistic that workers at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant could bring the radiation leaking reactors under control as expected under Japan's "Road Map."
Amano's visit to the plant Monday was his first since the crisis following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Japanese officials said last week the reactors have somewhat stabilized and they plan to bring them to a cold shutdown within six month as planned.
Also Monday, Japanese lawmakers approved nearly 2 trillion yen ($25.5 billion) in extra funds to pay for reconstruction from the disasters.