The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says it does not know when the system will be back in operation.
The system, called SPEEDI, predicts how radioactive substances will spread in case of radiation leakage from nuclear power plants, based on measurements taken at various locations, prevailing winds and other weather conditions.
Radiation level briefly rises at Fukushima plant
Japan's top government spokesperson says the radiation level at the quake-hit nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture, north of Tokyo, rose briefly on Wednesday morning.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told reporters on Wednesday the level of radiation near the front gate of the Daiichi plant started to rise around 10:00 AM, but was falling as of 10:54 AM.
Edano said workers at the plant evacuated just after the level rose.
He said what appeared to be white smoke was detected near the Number Three reactor at around 8:30 AM, but it's not clear if there's a link between the smoke and the increased radiation.
Edano said the temporary rise could have been due to radioactive vapor in the smoke.
Edano also revealed that the reading was over 1,000 microsieverts at one time on Tuesday night, and around 600 to 800 microsieverts before it showed a drastic increase.
SPEEDI data are intended to be used to draw up evacuation plans for residents around power plants in case of accidents.
The system is monitored at government offices, including the industry ministry and the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency in Tokyo.
Friday's earthquake caused power outages around the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
The agency says it cannot expect the SPEEDI system to function fully, since many monitoring posts are not operating due to power outages.
Source: NHK and Agencies
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