Japan Earthquake

Japan Earthquake | Page 1849

yesterday areva, today merkel. remarkable.

Keidanren head, Merkel agree on energy cooperation

The head of Japan's leading business lobby has agreed with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of renewable energy.

Hiromasa Yonekura, Chairman of the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, met with Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday.

In the meeting, Merkel proposed that Japan and Germany cooperate in technological development in the energy area.

They agreed to promote technological cooperation between Japanese and German companies in wind-power generation and other renewable energies.

Yonekura and Merkel also agreed on the need to work for an early conclusion of an economic partnership agreement between Japan and the European Union.

They noted the need for negotiations between the 2 sides' automobile and other concerned industries.

In the wake of the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the German government decided to close all its nuclear plants by 2022. Germany has also set a goal of having renewable energy account for 80 percent of the nation's power supply in the future, from the current 17 percent.

Thursday, July 07, 2011 11:51 +0900 (JST)
www3.nhk.or.jp
by Edano 7/7/2011 3:51:18 AM

english.kyodonews.jp

Fire at Tokai No. 2 nuclear plant
Supplied photo shows waste materials containing minute amounts of radioactive substances (C) which caught fire at the Tokai No. 2 nuclear power plant of the Japan Atomic Power Co. in Tokai, Ibaraki Prefecture, on July 6, 2011. The fire was extinguished soon and posed no health risks to the plant workers, according to the utility. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Photo provided by the Japan Atomic Power Co.)(Kyodo) english.kyodonews.jp
by Edano via English.kyodonews.jp 7/7/2011 3:54:58 AM

Edano apologizes for stirring confusion over resuming nuke reactors

TOKYO, July 7, Kyodo english.kyodonews.jp
by Edano 7/7/2011 3:56:46 AM

NEWS ADVISORY: Genkai town withdraws approval for resumption of Genkai nuclear reactors (12:??) english.kyodonews.jp
by Edano edited by Edano 7/7/2011 4:00:01 AM

Restart of reactors to be affected by Kyushu Electric scandal: Edano

TOKYO, July 7, Kyodo

The resumption of two suspended reactors at the Genkai nuclear power plant in southwestern Japan will be affected by a scandal involving its operator, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Thursday.

''It is really outrageous behavior,'' Edano said at a news conference. He called on Kyushu Electric Power Co. to work harder at restoring public trust in its operations of nuclear facilities.

The remarks were made a day after Kyushu Electric admitted that one of its executives sent e-mails in late last month to other employees and the operator's subsidiaries, requesting them to post comments supportive of the resumption of the reactors on the website of a local television program. english.kyodonews.jp
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:01:51 AM

@Edano you're talking about yourself in the third person.
by bo 7/7/2011 4:02:14 AM

chaotic situation in japan, it appears.
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:02:44 AM

@bo : the majestic third person !
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:03:02 AM

@Edano it is chaotic here. Everyone is talking about it. This will only intensify. Expect a lot of political and social upheaval as the situation becomes more and more evident to all.
by bo 7/7/2011 4:04:55 AM

@bo it is very interesting, that there seems to be a strong criticism against nukes, even by leading politicians, and i would include kan as far as i can judge.
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:06:47 AM

@Edano my sense is that Kan sees himself as the one thing standing between the nuke industry and the people, and he is determined to use his last political breaths to affect some change. But the public mood is turning very decisively. In the first months a lot of people here said things like-well this kind of accident can happen -or- maybe it's not too bad, maybe they are telling the truth. Now, that sentiment is nowhere. Everyone is upset and outraged and everyone expects things to get worse and the radiation to spread.
by bo 7/7/2011 4:09:24 AM

@bo : thank you, very interesting indeed. this disaster seems to have a deep impact on ***. society. they turn away from conformism.
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:14:41 AM

*** = j a p. what's wrong with this word ? :)
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:15:30 AM

In WW2 it was always used in a derogatory way, but people here don't seem to find it as offensive as it sounds to me.
by bo 7/7/2011 4:16:25 AM

maybe kan survives longer as we all think now....
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:17:26 AM

Everyone here thinks he is toast
by bo 7/7/2011 4:18:04 AM

@bo :)
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:18:57 AM

english.kyodonews.jp

Kyushu Electric president Manabe
Photo shows Kyushu Electric Power Co. President Toshio Manabe at a press conference at the utility's head office in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on July 6, 2011. Kyushu Electric said the same day that its employee asked personnel at three Kyushu Electric offices and four subsidiaries to post online comments in favor of the resumption of the utility's two nuclear reactors for a local cable television program aimed at seeking support for the resumption. (Kyodo) english.kyodonews.jp
by Edano via English.kyodonews.jp 7/7/2011 4:20:38 AM

QuakeAlert
DATE : 07/07/2011 00:02:05
TIME : 20 minutes ago
REG. : near the east coast of Honshu, Japan
MAG. : 4.9
DEP. : 33.9 km
ID : 121030
quakes.globalincidentmap.com
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:23:12 AM

Kyushu Electric sought to distort local views over reactors restart "FUKUOKA —
Kyushu Electric Power Co said Wednesday that companies linked to the utility ordered their employees to post online comments in favor of the resumption of the utility’s two nuclear reactors for a local cable television program aimed at seeking support for the resumption." www.japantoday.com
by Ralph Unger 7/7/2011 4:28:25 AM

@Ralph Unger : NEWS ADVISORY: Genkai town withdraws approval for resumption of Genkai nuclear reactors (Kyushu Electric Power Co) kyodonews
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:30:07 AM

fast reaction !
by Edano 7/7/2011 4:31:15 AM

The lying and deception that have been an accepted part of the exertion of power here in Japan are no longer flying.
by bo 7/7/2011 4:32:16 AM

by Edano via Emsc-csem.org 7/7/2011 4:34:11 AM

"Katsuo (shipjack tuna) is in season, and in a normal year the port of Onahama, Fukushima Prefecture should be bustling with activities, with fishing boats hauling katsuo they caught into the port, noisy auctioning by the wholesalers.

This year is anything but normal, and the amount of the haul at the Onahama port is zero. Zero.

Where are the fishing boats loaded with katsuo going? Other ports, so that the katsuo that they catch off the coast of Fukushima and all along the Pacific North can be sold as coming anywhere but from Fukushima.

(In other words, watch out, consumers.)"

ex-skf.blogspot.com
by bo 7/7/2011 4:48:47 AM

english.kyodonews.jp

@bo : Tuna landed at Fukushima port
Tuna is landed from a fisheries school training ship at a port in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, on July 1, 2011. It is the first time that fish has been landed in Fukushima Prefecture since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and ensuing nuclear crisis. (Kyodo) english.kyodonews.jp
by Edano via English.kyodonews.jp 7/7/2011 4:52:35 AM

www3.nhk.or.jp

Genkai mayor retracts nuke plant restart consent

The mayor of Genkai Town in southwestern Japan says he will retract his approval for the restart of 2 reactors at a nuclear power plant in his town.

Mayor Hideo Kishimoto on Monday gave the green light to Kyushu Electric Power Company which operates the Genaki plant. The 2 reactors at the plant remain idle after routine check-ups were completed in April.

But on Wednesday, the central government announced it will conduct a so-called "stress test" at all nuclear power plants in Japan. The test will assess the ability to withstand severe accidents.

At a news conference on Thursday, Mayor Kishimoto criticized the government for adding the stress test as a condition for plant restarts. He noted the central government had previously said that it was safe for the Genkai plant to resume operations.

The mayor said his earlier decision to approve the reactors' restart appears to have been made in vain and feels nothing but anger at the government.

Genkai town assembly on Thursday approved the mayor's intent to revoke his approval for the Genkai plant restart. Kishimoto said he will convey the decision to the Kyushu Electric president during the day.

The Genkai plant was to be the first in Japan since the March 11th disaster to be given the official go-ahead by the hosting municipality to resume operations.

Thursday, July 07, 2011 13:19 +0900 (JST)
www3.nhk.or.jp
by Edano via Www3.nhk.or.jp 7/7/2011 5:12:10 AM

www3.nhk.or.jp

Saga governor asks govt to clarify conditions

The governor of Saga Prefecture has asked the Japanese government to clarify conditions for resuming operations at a local nuclear plant.

Governor Yasushi Furukawa met Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano at the prime minister's office on Thursday. The meeting comes a day after the central government decided to conduct the so-called "stress tests" on all nuclear power plants in the country.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan ordered the tests even though industry minister Banri Kaieda had earlier assured local residents that the Genkai plant was safe for a restart.

Governor Furukawa said that although the additional safety checks are welcome, the residents of Genkai town are increasingly confused by the apparent disagreement within the Cabinet.

Edano apologized for the mishandling of the matter, and promised to sort things out as soon as possible.

Furukawa later told reporters the biggest problem is that there's no way of knowing the government's real intentions. He said if the government can accept keeping the Genkai plant idle, there is no reason to resume operations.

The governor added that a restart of 2 suspended reactors at the facility will be postponed until after the stress test. Plans for the tests are expected to be drawn up in about a week.

Thursday, July 07, 2011 12:58 +0900 (JST)
www3.nhk.or.jp
by Edano via Www3.nhk.or.jp 7/7/2011 5:13:39 AM

Restart of Genkai reactors put on hold amid distrust against gov't

TOKYO, July 7, Kyodo

The head of a southwestern Japanese town hosting the Genkai nuclear power plant on Thursday retracted his approval to restart two reactors suspended for regular checkups amid growing local distrust over the central government's inconsistent position on the issue.

The latest development came a day after the government said that it will conduct safety assessments on all the country's nuclear power plants, despite giving an assurance earlier that sufficient steps have been taken to operate them safely based on the lessons learned from the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

The announcement of stress tests to check nuclear reactors' capacity to withstand extreme natural events angered Genkai town mayor Hideo Kishimoto, as he had made clear his approval of the resumption of the two Genkai reactors in line with the request by industry minister Banri Kaieda, who visited Saga Prefecture in late June and said that the reactors are safe to resume.
english.kyodonews.jp
by Edano 7/7/2011 5:32:53 AM

QuakeAlert
DATE : 07/07/2011 01:10:08
TIME : 22 minutes ago
REG. : near the east coast of Honshu, Japan
MAG. : 4.9
DEP. : 30.4 km
ID : 121038
quakes.globalincidentmap.com
by Edano 7/7/2011 5:33:04 AM

Can a weakened nuclear industry survive its deadly repeating history? "The nuclear industry is a global affair, especially when something goes wrong, requiring transparency to ensure the safety of children and families around the world." www.japantoday.com
by Ralph Unger 7/7/2011 5:35:08 AM

Trend of Public Opinion on Nuclear Energy after Fukushima Accident. www.jaif.or.jp
by Ralph Unger 7/7/2011 6:19:52 AM

@Ralph Unger WOW! The sleepwalkers awaken...
by M.I.A. 7/7/2011 7:12:32 AM

Just like me, they wake up when they get slapped in the face.
by Ralph Unger 7/7/2011 7:14:30 AM

The nuclear industry stinks. But that is not a reason to ditch nuclear power "Power corrupts; nuclear power corrupts absolutely. The industry developed as a by-product of nuclear weapons research. Its deployment was used to shield the production of weapons from public view. Though the two industries have now been forced apart, in most parts of the world the nuclear operators remain secretive, unaccountable and far too close to government." www.guardian.co.uk
by Ralph Unger 7/7/2011 7:25:18 AM

If I got cancer, it might be from Fukushima. Lets say that cancer rates in the US went up 5% since the disaster, would Tepco paying 5% of my medical bills help me in any way? vimeo.com Why could no nuke plant exist in a capitalist society without limited liability provided by the government? Does not a capitalistic society say that that which is not profitable should not exist? If a Nuke plant cannot exist without government backing and government limiting the liability, should they not be banned? Make them pay insurance just like every other business and let them be un-profitable and just go away.
by Ralph Unger 7/7/2011 8:16:42 AM

@Ralph Unger very stirring commentary :) I agree
by elainekirk 7/7/2011 8:56:31 AM

Japan Nuclear Stress-Test Plan Clouds Outlook For Plant Restarts, Politics [7 July, 2011]: online.wsj.com
by es 7/7/2011 9:08:07 AM

Some Asian countries delay nuclear programs in wake of Fukushima incident [7 July, 2011]: mdn.mainichi.jp
"JAKARTA (Kyodo) -- The 12-member Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia ended two days of talks Wednesday with some delegations having said their governments would delay the implementation of their nuclear power programs due to decreased public support in the wake of Japan's nuclear disaster.

But all of the countries participating in the Japan-initiated forum except for Australia expressed their commitment to continue developing their nuclear power programs while at the same time enhancing nuclear safety."
by es 7/7/2011 9:08:34 AM

Hiroshima mayor to urge energy policy review in peace memorial speech [7 July, 2011]: mdn.mainichi.jp
"HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said Wednesday he intends to urge the government to "review its energy policy" in his speech at the peace memorial ceremony on Aug. 6, marking the 66th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japanese city in 1945.

"The peaceful use of atomic power in terms of nuclear power generation was approved in our energy policy because of public support and trust. But now, support and trust are faltering," in the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis, Matsui told Kyodo News.

"Consequently, we should call for a review of the idea and I think we can say it," Matsui added. But he did not clarify his position on whether he opposes nuclear power or approves of it.

"In making an approach to national politics, I want to only go as far as saying, 'at the very least, review the energy policy.' I believe the people will think rationally on their own," he said."
by es 7/7/2011 9:09:07 AM

Mitsui to build huge solar power plants in disaster areas [7 July, 2011]: www.yomiuri.co.jp

"Trading company giant Mitsui & Co. plans to build huge solar power plants in the Tohoku region to help the region recover from the March 11 disaster by easing its power shortages, it was learned Wednesday."
by es 7/7/2011 9:09:37 AM

@es the news of countries delaying is good we have 2 dated plants up here in Scotland we won't be having any new ones but stopping the UK gov renewing the licenses for the old ones could be a problem as they are planning to scatter new ones throughout England :(
by elainekirk 7/7/2011 9:11:35 AM

Tepco was helping to finance the expansion of the South Texas Nuclear Plant. Not gonna happen now :-) I live in Houston.
by Ralph Unger 7/7/2011 9:13:17 AM

@Ralph Unger is it off the cards for sure ?
by elainekirk 7/7/2011 9:14:45 AM

@elainekirk I agree, it's at least a step in the right direction. It's good to see greater public awareness creeping in. I'm not convinced the UK public will stand for the new plans their govt have in mind, and certainly don't want to see them agreeing to apparent concessions, e.g. ok, we'll compromise and build two new npp's rather than eight.
by es 7/7/2011 9:19:47 AM