Japan is pledging to spend roughly $470 million to address a radioactive water crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant that was battered by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The announcement today comes after the plant’s operator said it had detected radiation levels near a water storage tank that were 18 times higher than previously believed. A large portion of the funds would go toward building an underground wall of frozen earth to contain the leaks. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday drastic action is needed.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe: “We cannot let the issue of water contamination at the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant be dealt with by only Tokyo Electric Power Company. From now on, the government will lead to provide a comprehensive solution.”