Japanese media have became more critical of Prime Minister Naoto Kan's handling of the disaster, and have accused both the government and plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co of failing to provide enough information on the incident.

BBC: Japan earthquake: Anger over Fukushima evacuation plan

Indeed, the incident rocked the 50-year-old security alliance between Tokyo and Washington, a defense cornerstone in the region.

CNN: A Year of Redefinition

The incident Monday, which involved Air Canada Flight 001 bound for Tokyo from Toronto with 318 passengers and 16 crew members aboard, damaged vehicles on the ground and forced the Boeing 777 to return to Toronto.

CNN: Engine malfunction caused plane debris to fall in Canada