As the crisis at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant worsens, the United States has asked its citizens to defer their travel plans to Japan and for those living inside the quake-stricken country to evacuate from within 80 kilometers of the damaged atomic plants.

"The State Department strongly urges US citizens to defer travel to Japan at this time and those in Japan should consider departing," State Department said in its latest travel advisory on Japan.

It also sanctioned voluntary authorized departure for its eligible family members because of infrastructure damage from the earthquake and resulting tsunami.

"The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recommends that US citizens who live within 80 kilometers of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical," the State Department said.

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