ScribbleLive

@bo Thanks, I'll be interested to read the post. And cheers for the okonomiyaki offer!

@Will what nationality are you, is your wife japanese

@fitter I'm British and yes my wife is Japanese.

How does the people comunicate with the gov't there? or do they

@lillymunster Yes, it sounds like it. If I didn't personally know people still sending supplies I'd find it hard to believe. Admittedly, people often send food and drink to friends and relatives in different parts of Japan, but this is being done out of necessity. It seems to me that if the supplies are being posted then postal/takyubin services must be working to some degree so why can't the government move supplies to the areas that need it? Or alternatively why couldn't they move people out of the areas where there are shortages? It doesn' seem impossible to me. Certainly there is no shortage of food or drink in most of Japan (though admittedly it could be contaminated!). Also why are so many people still in shelters? It is so frustrating.

@fitter In many ways the political structure is different of course, but I'm no expert on these matters I'm afraid. Personally, I'm not impressed with politicians in general, be they British or Japanese. As far as the system goes though, my personal view is that to understand the Japanese system you need to understand the political changes of the Meiji era as there seems so much continuancy from that time to now. The political project then was to build a strong Japan and to achieve high standing and status in the international community. Individuals interests were subsumed within this. National interest first, the people second. In many ways this (or strong echoes of it) still holds, and so people don't have such a strong idea of their rights as they might do. Talking out can have quite a social cost. That said, everyone is different here, and individuals certainly do stand up (sometimes more than in the UK), but it is against a different political backdrop. Also, as is often remarked on, government, bureaucracy, and business enjoy very close ties (as in the Meiji era) which can have some unfortunate consequences.

@lillymunster I agree. And that is an unsettling point you raise about the government perhaps foot dragging as they might have to close off larger areas permanently. My family and I spent just two days and a night in an evacuation centre because of the tsunami and that was unpleasant enough. I really feel for people still in shelters after 3 months.

The Meiji era was from 1868-1912. Currently, as you may know, it is year 23 of the Heisei era in Japan (as well as being 2011!). The eras start and end with the reign of Japanese emperors. Sorry if this is getting off topic!

Very brief, however reporting of protests in Tokoyo has made it to the Sydney Morning Herald:

Post-tsunami fears prompt atomic protest
Shigemi Sato
June 12, 2011

www.smh.com.au

Italians protest nuclear power ahead of referendum

People in Italy have taken to the streets to protest against nuclear power ahead of a referendum to decide whether the country should revive its nuclear energy program. The referendum is scheduled for Sunday and Monday.

On Friday, anti-nuclear campaigners held rallies across the country to urge people to vote against a government plan to resume nuclear power generation.

In Rome, thousands of people gathered at Popolo Square to call on voters to support the suspension of the nuclear program.

One protestor hinted that something like the Japanese nuclear accident could also happen in Italy, saying even Japan cannot manage its nuclear plants.

Another demonstrator said it is right to seek public opinion directly, adding that the referendum will be more important than a parliamentary vote.

In a reaction to the Chernobyl accident, Italy shut down all of its nuclear power stations by 1990. But the administration of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has pledged to revive nuclear power and build new plants.

Following the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant, Germany and Switzerland have decided to close all of their nuclear power plants.

Italy's referendum will be the first in the world on nuclear power. A majority of the vote with more than half of eligible voters taking part is required for approval of the nuclear program.

Saturday, June 11, 2011 10:26 +0900 (JST)
www3.nhk.or.jp

better no nukes in berlusconi's hands. makes me shiver.

@Edano While this has nothing to do with this Board here, i read a report, that they have also found a new strain less deadly though in Denmark...I hope they get this under control.
While this has taken so long to pinpoint, there still is no explanation as to HOW they became tainted.........me thinks there is more to the story :-O

@Veenie : it's still a big mystery (here in Germany).

@deb : you re-invented the x-rays !!!!

@deb WHAT did you do to get the heat signature or is this a joke ?

@deb Now THAT is interesting.lol..really interesting !!

@Mona The ones that are supposed to protect us, are in fact, our worst enemies when it comes to the Nuclear Industry. A worldwide problem sadly.

@deb just seen your video... is that from the show yesterday? What do you make of it?

It's live recording so happening now

@fitter only if your screen is able to detect heat ;)

@fitter Think we need a scientist for that one, I recorded it because there are distinct differences when you block out the white light or a spectrum of color on the screen.

@Veenie www.nytimes.com report a crowd that "eventually grew to about 20,000 people, according to organizers’ estimates"