Fukushima expanded the inspection spots nearly ten-fold to
around 300 areas in September after radioactive cesium of 500
becquerels per kilogramme was found in a sample of a
pre-harvested rice in Nihonmatsu city, 56 kilometres (35 miles)
west of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant crippled by a
devastating earthquake and tsunami in March.
Christie, who dashed speculation just last week that he would jump into the race himself, was traveling to New Hampshire, where he was to appear at a news conference with Romney at 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT), the spokesman said.The event will be a big boost for Romney only hours before a debate between the eight contenders for the Republican nomination in which Romney will seek to solidify his status as Republican front-runner in opinion polls.A person close to Christie confirmed the planned endorsement.A rising star in the Republican ranks, Christie, 49, had said repeatedly he would not run for president in 2012, but reconsidered based on a flood of entreaties from members of the Republican establishment and major donors who were concerned about the strength of the Republican field.Christie has a moderate record on social issues and a strong fiscal record as governor of New Jersey.
