They were no where near to "worst case expected" scenario in terms of design and building.

They were no where near to minimal competency and public safety in the early days.

It sounds like the government was handcuffed by the electric company and the most commensense reactions were not taken for days due to electric company stonewalling and trying to protects its declining assets rather than the population.   This of course made rescue of tsunami victims more difficult due to radiation factor, evacuations for radiation reasons, fear of responders to go to a hot locale etc.

I am totally unsympathetic to the criminals and nincompoops as this plays out. But it will provide some good lessons for the rest of the world. mg