With sightsfixed on the reactor, 13 million Tokyoites began to panic in late afternoon as the government warned there was a high possibility of sudden blackout in the metro area.
But with NTL due to change its name to Virgin Media next year, NTL also has UK commercial broadcaster ITV in its sights as a takeover target, part of its plans to offer television as well as broadband, fixed-line and mobile telecommunications services.