Source: The Japan Times: Yen for Living
Date: October 6th, 2011
by: Philip Brasor & Masako Tsubuku
Japan’s rice harvest season started at the end of August, and is
presently centered on the Tohoku region; or, at least it would be
centered there if so much of the crop hadn’t been neutralized by the
Mar. 11 tsunami and then what was left wasn’t contaminated by fallout
from the stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear reactor. Japanese people prize
rice grown in the northeastern part of the country more than rice grown
anywhere else, and they prefer new rice (shinmai), the newer
the better. This is a cultural thing, since in some countries — India
and Italy, for instance — older rice is considered something of a
delicacy.
...
Read full article here
Provide radiation related news regarding the Japan Fukushima nuclear plant disaster and global radiation levels and environmental contamination.
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
10/6/2011 Japan Test Reactor Was Shaken Beyond Design Limit in March Quake
Source: Bloomberg
Date: October 06, 2011, 1:06 AM EDT
by: Tsuyoshi Inajima
Oct. 6 (Bloomberg) -- A research reactor operated by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency was shaken beyond its design limits during the earthquake that struck in March and another of the agency’s nuclear facilities was likely damaged in the disaster.
--Editors: Aaron Sheldrick, Baldave Singh
To contact the reporters on this story: Tsuyoshi Inajima in Tokyo at tinajima@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Amit Prakash in Singapore at aprakash1@bloomberg.net
Date: October 06, 2011, 1:06 AM EDT
by: Tsuyoshi Inajima
Oct. 6 (Bloomberg) -- A research reactor operated by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency was shaken beyond its design limits during the earthquake that struck in March and another of the agency’s nuclear facilities was likely damaged in the disaster.
The Japan Research Reactor No. 3 in Tokai
village, 115 kilometers (71 miles) northeast of Tokyo, was shaken as
much as 5.7 times more than its design allowed, the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology said in a statement.
Parts of the roof of the experimental Japan
Materials Testing Reactor building in the agency’s research center in
Oarari, 60 kilometers from Tokyo, was damaged, possibly by the quake,
the ministry said. No radiation leaks were found at either site,
according to the ministry.
The magnitude-9 quake and subsequent tsunami on
March 11 knocked out power and cooling at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s
Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant, causing the worst nuclear accident since
Chernobyl 25 years ago.
Neither of the Japan Atomic reactors were running
when the quake hit, said Kunimi Yoshida, an official involved in
nuclear power regulation at the science ministry.
Tokai village was the site of an accident in 1999
at a nuclear plant operated by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co.’s unit JCO Co.
Two workers were killed by radiation after pouring uranium from a
bucket into a processing tank, leading to a chain reaction.
To contact the reporters on this story: Tsuyoshi Inajima in Tokyo at tinajima@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Amit Prakash in Singapore at aprakash1@bloomberg.net
10/5/2011 Yakuza possibly involved in TEPCO sub-contracting of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear workers
Both ENENEWS and EX-SKF Blog had recent articles pertaining to the "pointy guy" or "camera guy" (Takeuchi) who has famously stood in front of the TEPCO webcam at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in radiation protective gear and pointed his finger directly at the camera.
So why was he pointing? "I would like to request that TEPCO and the government improve in a tangible way how they contract work to subcontractors and how they monitor the employment situation.", says pointy guy as quoted from EX-SKF Blog. Also according to EX-SKF Blog "pointy guy" believes the Yakuza are gathering sub-contractors for TEPCO for the dangerous Fukushima Daiichi nuclear work:
Nuclear Ginza: Japan's secret at-risk labor force Part 1/2
Nuclear Ginza: Japan's secret at-risk labor force Part 2/2
So why was he pointing? "I would like to request that TEPCO and the government improve in a tangible way how they contract work to subcontractors and how they monitor the employment situation.", says pointy guy as quoted from EX-SKF Blog. Also according to EX-SKF Blog "pointy guy" believes the Yakuza are gathering sub-contractors for TEPCO for the dangerous Fukushima Daiichi nuclear work:
[...]The "pointy guy" or "camera guy" (Takeuchi) apparently showed up at a recent TEPCO press conference and said the following according to ENENEWS:
As has been much reported, some workers have been forced to work here by the outlaw element [i.e. "yakuza" or the Japanese mafia]. Such workers are disguised as being employed by legitimate contractors but have to accept an unfair or severe employment conditions. Sometimes even the legitimate contractors who post recruitment information at employment Offices don't know who their workers' true contractors are. The excessive multi-layered subcontracting leads to various problems such as lower wages, no insurance, and no contract document, as has been reported.
[...]
[...] I was working for a sub-contract company at Fukushima in August. [...]Matsumoto, spokesman of TEPCO stumbled in his response as per ENENEWS:
Media is banned to go into the plant site. Is it because media might see and report Yakuza people are working there ?
I actually saw people with Yakuza tatoo [sic] in the backroom. Is it not to let the media report the truth in the plant ?
Well, um, ah regarding of the Fukushima nuclear plant, eh [...]Apparently this is not a new phenomenon in Japan. There is an old 1995 documentary titled Nuclear Ginza which details how the Yakuza have recruited homeless and poor people from off the streets for high risk nuclear worker jobs in the past.
The reason why we don’t disclose the actual situation inside is [...]
One of them is, um, because it’s in the caution zone and [...] From our point of view, now, um, [...] we are trying our best, so, ah [...] um, well, there is also the problem of exposure of the reporters. [...]
In that meaning, for now, discussing with the government and um.. [...] we can not disclose the actual situation inside of the plant.
Nuclear Ginza: Japan's secret at-risk labor force Part 1/2
Nuclear Ginza: Japan's secret at-risk labor force Part 2/2
10/4/2011 Japan to work with IAEA decontamination experts
Source: NHK World
Date: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 05:34 +0900 (JST)
by: Catherine Kobayashi
The Japanese government says it is ready to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency in removing radioactive materials around the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
The government's chief spokesman, Osamu Fujimura, made the remark on Tuesday ahead of a visit by a team of IAEA experts who will arrive in Japan on Friday.
Fujimura said Japan will cooperate with and learn from international experts in decontamination. He said he hopes their visit will help the process to move faster and more efficiently.
The government says it also hopes to establish the best way to clean up radioactive substances so it can be shared by other nations.
The 12-member team is to make the 9-day visit at the request of Japan's nuclear crisis minister, Goshi Hosono.
The team will travel to Fukushima Prefecture to watch the decontamination process and give advice before compiling a report.
Date: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 05:34 +0900 (JST)
by: Catherine Kobayashi
The Japanese government says it is ready to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency in removing radioactive materials around the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
The government's chief spokesman, Osamu Fujimura, made the remark on Tuesday ahead of a visit by a team of IAEA experts who will arrive in Japan on Friday.
Fujimura said Japan will cooperate with and learn from international experts in decontamination. He said he hopes their visit will help the process to move faster and more efficiently.
The government says it also hopes to establish the best way to clean up radioactive substances so it can be shared by other nations.
The 12-member team is to make the 9-day visit at the request of Japan's nuclear crisis minister, Goshi Hosono.
The team will travel to Fukushima Prefecture to watch the decontamination process and give advice before compiling a report.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
10/4/2011 Genkai No.4 nuclear reactor stops operation
Source: NHK World
Date: Tuesday, October 04, 2011 18:55 +0900 (JST)
A reactor at the Genkai nuclear power plant in western Japan was shut down automatically on Tuesday, following a technical glitch with the unit's cooling system.
Kyushu Electric Power Company, the plant's operator, says no one was hurt and there have been no changes in radiation levels monitored near the plant.
The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says the Number 4 reactor at the plant stopped operations at around 1:40 PM on Tuesday, after abnormalities in the steam condenser of its cooling system were signaled by equipment.
Tuesday's suspension has left the utility with only one of its 6 nuclear reactors in operation.
Editor's Note: Map of Genkai Nuclear Power Plant below.
View Live Ustream Radiation Detectors in a larger map
Date: Tuesday, October 04, 2011 18:55 +0900 (JST)
A reactor at the Genkai nuclear power plant in western Japan was shut down automatically on Tuesday, following a technical glitch with the unit's cooling system.
Kyushu Electric Power Company, the plant's operator, says no one was hurt and there have been no changes in radiation levels monitored near the plant.
The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says the Number 4 reactor at the plant stopped operations at around 1:40 PM on Tuesday, after abnormalities in the steam condenser of its cooling system were signaled by equipment.
Tuesday's suspension has left the utility with only one of its 6 nuclear reactors in operation.
Editor's Note: Map of Genkai Nuclear Power Plant below.
View Live Ustream Radiation Detectors in a larger map
10/3/2011 NRC: Dominion's post-quake response appropriate
Source: Forbes
Date: 10.03.11, 05:44 PM EDT
by: MICHAEL FELBERBAUM
MINERAL, Va. -- Two nuclear reactors at Dominion Virginia Power's North Anna Power Station did not sustain any significant damage from the Aug. 23 earthquake and the company responded appropriately when the reactors were automatically shut down, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Monday.
...
Read full article here
Editor's Note: North Anna Nuclear Generating Station shown in map below.
View Live Ustream Radiation Detectors in a larger map
Date: 10.03.11, 05:44 PM EDT
by: MICHAEL FELBERBAUM
MINERAL, Va. -- Two nuclear reactors at Dominion Virginia Power's North Anna Power Station did not sustain any significant damage from the Aug. 23 earthquake and the company responded appropriately when the reactors were automatically shut down, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Monday.
...
Read full article here
Editor's Note: North Anna Nuclear Generating Station shown in map below.
View Live Ustream Radiation Detectors in a larger map
10/3/2011 Pronuclear Iwanai mayor re-elected
Source: The Japan Times
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 JST
Kyodo
View Live Ustream Radiation Detectors in a larger map
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 JST
Kyodo
SAPPORO — The mayor of Iwanai, Hokkaido, was
re-elected Sunday in a landslide victory over an antinuclear challenger
who opposed his plans to restart two local nuclear reactors.
Yuji Kamioka, 61, secured a third four-year term
after pledging stricter oversight of Hokkaido Electric Power Co.'s
Tomari nuclear plant, defeating former town assembly member Miyuki
Oishi, 63, who had called for a referendum on restarting the reactors.
Iwanai is 10 km from the nuclear power plant.
Voter turnout was 56.42 percent, with Kamioka drawing 5,167 votes and Oishi managing just 1,658.
The election came a week after one in Kaminoseki,
Yamaguchi Prefecture, in which the mayor was re-elected over an
antinuclear challenger who opposed Chugoku Electric Power Co.'s plan to
build a nuclear power plant there.
Editor's Note: Below is a map showing the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant mentioned above.
Editor's Note: Below is a map showing the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant mentioned above.
View Live Ustream Radiation Detectors in a larger map
Sunday, October 2, 2011
9/30/2011 Obama Administration Banking On Next-Generation Nukes
Source: Forbes
Date: 9/30/2011
by: Jeff McMahon
The Fukushima nuclear disaster has done nothing to deter the Department of Energy from its pursuit of next generation and small modular nuclear reactors, according to the DOE’s First Quadrennial Technology Review, released Wednesday.
...
Read full article here
Date: 9/30/2011
by: Jeff McMahon
The Fukushima nuclear disaster has done nothing to deter the Department of Energy from its pursuit of next generation and small modular nuclear reactors, according to the DOE’s First Quadrennial Technology Review, released Wednesday.
...
Read full article here
Saturday, October 1, 2011
9/30/2011 Japan Panel Confirms Nuclear Agency's Attempts To Control Public Opinions
Source: Dow Jones Newswires via Fox Business News
Date: September 30, 2011
by: Mitsuru Obe
TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- An independent panel advising the Japanese trade and industry ministry confirmed Friday that the ministry's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency was involved in attempts by utilities to manipulate public opinion on nuclear power.
Between 2005 and 2009, NISA officials asked plant operators to encourage employees to attend public meetings and symposiums and express opinions in favor of nuclear energy, according to the panel's report.
The panel said that the revelations may further undermine public confidence in nuclear energy after the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Copyright © 2011 Dow Jones Newswires
Editor's Note: On the one hand I am happy to see this reported, but what a skimpy article! It made me want to add supplemental materials with regards to the blatant nuclear propaganda that has been used to downplay the severity and risks of the Fukushima nuclear crisis and the hazards of radioactive fallout.
Dr "Brainwasher" Yamashita Speaks: "Don't Worry about Cesium" (Mar. 24, 2011)
Dr. "Brainwasher" Yamashita Speaks 2: "I Can't Take Any Responsibility"
Date: September 30, 2011
by: Mitsuru Obe
TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- An independent panel advising the Japanese trade and industry ministry confirmed Friday that the ministry's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency was involved in attempts by utilities to manipulate public opinion on nuclear power.
Between 2005 and 2009, NISA officials asked plant operators to encourage employees to attend public meetings and symposiums and express opinions in favor of nuclear energy, according to the panel's report.
The panel said that the revelations may further undermine public confidence in nuclear energy after the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Copyright © 2011 Dow Jones Newswires
Editor's Note: On the one hand I am happy to see this reported, but what a skimpy article! It made me want to add supplemental materials with regards to the blatant nuclear propaganda that has been used to downplay the severity and risks of the Fukushima nuclear crisis and the hazards of radioactive fallout.
Dr "Brainwasher" Yamashita Speaks: "Don't Worry about Cesium" (Mar. 24, 2011)
Please click on "cc" button to show English subtitles. Dr. Shunichi Yamashita is Radiation Health Risk Management Advisor of Fukushima.
He was a professor at Nagasaki University when appointed on Mar. 19, and now Vice President of Fukushima Medical University.
He was a professor at Nagasaki University when appointed on Mar. 19, and now Vice President of Fukushima Medical University.
Dr. "Brainwasher" Yamashita Speaks 2: "I Can't Take Any Responsibility"
Please click on "cc" button to show English subtitles.
Dr. Shunichi Yamashita is Radiation Health Risk Management Advisor of Fukushima. He was a professor at Nagasaki University when appointed on Mar. 19, and now Vice President of Fukushima Medical University.
He has preached "radiation exposure up to 100mSv/yr is safe" during his many brainwashing lectures in Fukushima and is widely criticized. This video is a segment from the Q&A session of the Symposium called "From Nagasaki To Fukushima," held at Aoyama Kaikan, Tokyo, on May 20, 2011.
Dr. Yamashita, whom some Japanese have started to call Dr. Shunichi "Damashita" Yamashita - Yamashita "who tricked" - is one of the 32 people charged with "bodily injury through negligence in the conduct of occupation" by journalist Mr. Hirose. Please watch his press conference video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt1p-tftdaU
For more information on Yamashita and how the brainwashing was done in Fukushima, please visit EX-SKF blog:
http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/search/label/Shunichi%20Yamashita
For other incredible remarks by Yamashita, please watch these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guw-lee4vio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOgaBUDFeb4
Translation and captioning by tokyobrowntabby.
The German-subtitled version is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcXJXvkAtcw&feature=feedu
Dr. Shunichi Yamashita is Radiation Health Risk Management Advisor of Fukushima. He was a professor at Nagasaki University when appointed on Mar. 19, and now Vice President of Fukushima Medical University.
He has preached "radiation exposure up to 100mSv/yr is safe" during his many brainwashing lectures in Fukushima and is widely criticized. This video is a segment from the Q&A session of the Symposium called "From Nagasaki To Fukushima," held at Aoyama Kaikan, Tokyo, on May 20, 2011.
Dr. Yamashita, whom some Japanese have started to call Dr. Shunichi "Damashita" Yamashita - Yamashita "who tricked" - is one of the 32 people charged with "bodily injury through negligence in the conduct of occupation" by journalist Mr. Hirose. Please watch his press conference video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt1p-tftdaU
For more information on Yamashita and how the brainwashing was done in Fukushima, please visit EX-SKF blog:
http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/search/label/Shunichi%20Yamashita
For other incredible remarks by Yamashita, please watch these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guw-lee4vio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOgaBUDFeb4
Translation and captioning by tokyobrowntabby.
The German-subtitled version is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcXJXvkAtcw&feature=feedu
10/1/2011 Anti-nuclear rallies staged across US
Source: NHK World
Date: Sunday, October 02, 2011 09:16 +0900 (JST)
by: Shery Ahn
Anti-nuclear rallies have been staged across the United States amid growing concerns about the safety of the nation's more than 100 nuclear reactors.
Demonstrations held on Saturday at 15 locations in the US were inspired by the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in March.
Americans are increasingly concerned about the safety of 104 nuclear reactors in the country. A recent tornado and an earthquake shut down over a dozen reactors on the east coast.
In New York City, people gathered at a park along the Hudson River to participate in a rally organized by a civic group.
The group is demanding the shutdown of the 40-year old Indian Point nuclear reactors in New York State. Roughly 20-million people live within 80 kilometers of the facility, which is located close to 2 earthquake fault lines.
A Japanese woman living in New York City told other participants that mothers in Fukushima are living in constant fear of exposure to radiation. She said everyday they must decide if it's safe to play outdoors and if their children should wear masks.
Some said the accident in Fukushima changed their opinions about nuclear power and they now think a meltdown could happen anywhere.
Others said radiation released into the environment is not just a tragedy for Japan but a problem for the entire international community.
Editor's Note: Map of Indian Point Energy Center appears below.
View Live Ustream Radiation Detectors in a larger map
Date: Sunday, October 02, 2011 09:16 +0900 (JST)
by: Shery Ahn
Anti-nuclear rallies have been staged across the United States amid growing concerns about the safety of the nation's more than 100 nuclear reactors.
Demonstrations held on Saturday at 15 locations in the US were inspired by the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in March.
Americans are increasingly concerned about the safety of 104 nuclear reactors in the country. A recent tornado and an earthquake shut down over a dozen reactors on the east coast.
In New York City, people gathered at a park along the Hudson River to participate in a rally organized by a civic group.
The group is demanding the shutdown of the 40-year old Indian Point nuclear reactors in New York State. Roughly 20-million people live within 80 kilometers of the facility, which is located close to 2 earthquake fault lines.
A Japanese woman living in New York City told other participants that mothers in Fukushima are living in constant fear of exposure to radiation. She said everyday they must decide if it's safe to play outdoors and if their children should wear masks.
Some said the accident in Fukushima changed their opinions about nuclear power and they now think a meltdown could happen anywhere.
Others said radiation released into the environment is not just a tragedy for Japan but a problem for the entire international community.
Editor's Note: Map of Indian Point Energy Center appears below.
View Live Ustream Radiation Detectors in a larger map
9/24/2011 Small Businesses in Disaster Areas Pin Hopes on "Social Fund"
Source: Japan 7 Days
Date: Saturday September 24, 2011
by: Minori Takao
A new business model called the "social fund" is giving hope to businesses in the areas afflicted by the March earthquake and tsunami. The approach allows anyone who wants to help a organization revive itself get the process going by contributing funds. As little as 10,000 yen ($130) is acceptable.
More than 40,000 small and midsize firms in the three hardest-hit prefectures are thought to have suffered damage. Many of them have been unable to take out new bank loans because of existing debts for previous purchases. The "social fund" could be their last resort.
Date: Saturday September 24, 2011
by: Minori Takao
A new business model called the "social fund" is giving hope to businesses in the areas afflicted by the March earthquake and tsunami. The approach allows anyone who wants to help a organization revive itself get the process going by contributing funds. As little as 10,000 yen ($130) is acceptable.
More than 40,000 small and midsize firms in the three hardest-hit prefectures are thought to have suffered damage. Many of them have been unable to take out new bank loans because of existing debts for previous purchases. The "social fund" could be their last resort.
10/1/2011 Decontamination efforts accelerate in Fukushima
Source: NHK World
Date: Saturday, October 01, 2011 22:32 +0900 (JST)
by: Kanako Sachno
Municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture affected by the nuclear accident in March are stepping up efforts to decontaminate public buildings and restore key infrastructures.
The move comes after the Japanese government lifted an evacuation advisory on Friday for 5 municipalities located between 20 and 30 kilometers from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
After the March 11th disaster, residents in these municipalities were advised to prepare to evacuate in case of an emergency at the nuclear plant.
The city of Minamisoma has placed priority on removing radioactive substances from public facilities such as parks, schools and roads.
Contractors are replacing surface soil with uncontaminated soil. But they say it's becoming difficult to procure the necessary amount of soil due to increasing demand.
In Kawauchi Village, residents have begun to patrol the community against burglaries. It is feared that the cancellation of the government advisory could make it easier for burglars to prey on the community.
The central government has yet to come up with concrete measures, including financial assistance, to support the municipalities' restoration efforts.
Date: Saturday, October 01, 2011 22:32 +0900 (JST)
by: Kanako Sachno
Municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture affected by the nuclear accident in March are stepping up efforts to decontaminate public buildings and restore key infrastructures.
The move comes after the Japanese government lifted an evacuation advisory on Friday for 5 municipalities located between 20 and 30 kilometers from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
After the March 11th disaster, residents in these municipalities were advised to prepare to evacuate in case of an emergency at the nuclear plant.
The city of Minamisoma has placed priority on removing radioactive substances from public facilities such as parks, schools and roads.
Contractors are replacing surface soil with uncontaminated soil. But they say it's becoming difficult to procure the necessary amount of soil due to increasing demand.
In Kawauchi Village, residents have begun to patrol the community against burglaries. It is feared that the cancellation of the government advisory could make it easier for burglars to prey on the community.
The central government has yet to come up with concrete measures, including financial assistance, to support the municipalities' restoration efforts.
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