Since this plant was a BWR, this low level waste was likely some resins used in cleaning up the reactor water. “Low level” is a reletive term, and waste resins usually have very high dose rates (I’ve measured 50 R/Hr outside the casks).
I work in the nuclear industry, so I am familiar with what is LLW.
My point was that spilled LLW, whatever the source, does not constitute a “damaged” plant. The NYT appears to presume damage either out of ignorance or because they have an agenda.
The Japanese plant operators are typically tight-lipped about the operation of their plants, so I doubt we’ll ever find out the source of the releases.