Cell phones monitoring radiation to sell in Japan

TOKYO — Worries over radiation are so rampant in Japan after last year’s nuclear meltdowns that the world’s first cell phones with built-in radiation monitors are going on sale.

Softbank Corp., the carrier for the hit iPhone and iPad in Japan, says the Pantone 5 mobile device that shows the microsieverts-per-hour number on a display at a push of a button will go on sale in July. Pricing was not announced.

The tsunami last March in northeastern Japan set off meltdowns and explosions at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.

Areas near the plant are a no-go zone. But “hot spots” have popped up in many places, including Tokyo, and many Japanese are worried, especially families with children.

Softbank President Masayoshi Son publicly opposes nuclear power after the disaster.