The 16-member group from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has commenced a week-long assessment of the clean-up process at Japan's crippled, radiation leaking Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

The IAEA hasn’t paid a visit to Fukushima for two years, despite the triple-meltdown that followed the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the region.  The Japanese government has been stepping up efforts to allow international help after Tokyo and Fukushima’s operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) came under intense criticism for failing to get a handle on the disaster. 

The international inspectors will concentrate on contaminated areas surrounding the site.  Even though the Japanese government lifted evacuation orders in some areas, many Fukushima residents have not returned to their homes because of the radiation.

Bad weather may complicate the IAEA’s visit.  A powerful typhoon is closing in on Japan, and forecasters project Typhoon Wipha’s path as heading straight to Tokyo and then to Fukushima.  Storms earlier this year caused all sorts of problems with radioactive water leaks at Fukushima.