A friend sent me this video of a terrible last 5 minutes in a town's life.
Even if you do not understand Japanese, you can hear the mounting terror and unbelieving shouts as the tsunami rolls over their homes and other buildings. The wave picks them up like toys and you can see the floating houses being pushed over an embankment and pushed into rice fields like little Lego blocks in the bath tub. You can clearly see the distant waves up to three and four stories high.
And at the end, a few people running for their lives, trying to get up the hill. You can hear those on the hill shouting for everyone to GO HIGHER.... and screams in the distance.
So sad....
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Reporter Saved
On the day of the earthquake and tsunami, Toyo Chiba was caught up by the tsunami and barely made it out alive in Kamaichi, Iwate Pref. Only a few seconds lapsed between the 4 photos.
But weeks later, I saw on TV that he came back again looking for the camera that you can see him clearly holding. He said that the wave ripped the camera from his hands. The TV crew follows him around for a while as he looks for his camera....
.....and by gosh, he finds it, not too far from where he dropped it. It is all rusty. I wonder if he can get it cleaned up!
Read this Japan Times story for the details of that day.
But weeks later, I saw on TV that he came back again looking for the camera that you can see him clearly holding. He said that the wave ripped the camera from his hands. The TV crew follows him around for a while as he looks for his camera....
.....and by gosh, he finds it, not too far from where he dropped it. It is all rusty. I wonder if he can get it cleaned up!
Monday, April 25, 2011
The Aftermath
The Death Toll
It looks like most people who died in the March 11th earthquake, did so from the tsunami. The newspapers are saying that 93% of the confirmed dead drowned. And of that number, 65% were over 60 or older. That is 12,143 of the confirmed dead out of 13,135 people were killed by the tsunami. But the actual numbers will be much higher as the number of the missing is also about 11,000 or so. I am sure that most of these poor people were swept out to sea when the waves receded.
Divers and others, cleaning up the ports, are finding cars at the bottom of the sea. Whole houses and roof tops are still seen floating and the rocky areas along some shores are just piles of broken houses.
You can read this Japan Times story for more details.
The Animals of the Fukushima Disaster
The people who lived near the nuclear plant, within 20 kilometers, were asked to leave for their own health and safety. Many had to just get on a bus with the clothes on their backs and no more.
Recently, that became an order when the Japanese government changed its ruling. Many of these people were farmers, with animals, cows, pigs, chickens to care for. It seems that many of these people just left their animals to fend for themselves. Some let their cows out of their pens and they can now been seen roaming around eating the grass. But others just left them. Some, come back everyday to feed their animals and some have stayed with them to protect them. What is really sad is that those who are trying hard to find homes for their animals often can not find anyone to take them.
I have seen video of calves --dead and dying and some living. Animal groups are bringing food and water. Most of the chickens are dead already. And maybe the pigs too. The cattle and horses are another story. One farmer, who goes every third day to feed his animals, said that they shake with fear, such is the stress they are under.
Recently the Japanese government said that with the agreement of the owner, they will start euthanizing those animals that are still alive.
Oh, they are so slow to make their plans. Why didn't someone take action sooner?
It looks like most people who died in the March 11th earthquake, did so from the tsunami. The newspapers are saying that 93% of the confirmed dead drowned. And of that number, 65% were over 60 or older. That is 12,143 of the confirmed dead out of 13,135 people were killed by the tsunami. But the actual numbers will be much higher as the number of the missing is also about 11,000 or so. I am sure that most of these poor people were swept out to sea when the waves receded.
Divers and others, cleaning up the ports, are finding cars at the bottom of the sea. Whole houses and roof tops are still seen floating and the rocky areas along some shores are just piles of broken houses.
You can read this Japan Times story for more details.
The Animals of the Fukushima Disaster
The people who lived near the nuclear plant, within 20 kilometers, were asked to leave for their own health and safety. Many had to just get on a bus with the clothes on their backs and no more.
Recently, that became an order when the Japanese government changed its ruling. Many of these people were farmers, with animals, cows, pigs, chickens to care for. It seems that many of these people just left their animals to fend for themselves. Some let their cows out of their pens and they can now been seen roaming around eating the grass. But others just left them. Some, come back everyday to feed their animals and some have stayed with them to protect them. What is really sad is that those who are trying hard to find homes for their animals often can not find anyone to take them.
I have seen video of calves --dead and dying and some living. Animal groups are bringing food and water. Most of the chickens are dead already. And maybe the pigs too. The cattle and horses are another story. One farmer, who goes every third day to feed his animals, said that they shake with fear, such is the stress they are under.
Recently the Japanese government said that with the agreement of the owner, they will start euthanizing those animals that are still alive.
Oh, they are so slow to make their plans. Why didn't someone take action sooner?
Monday, April 11, 2011
Prime Minister Kan and Vice President of Tepco
Some background stories about what happened in the early hours after the quake and tsunami at the highest levels of government are starting to appear.
The Office of the Prime Minister had been trying to speed up the first venting action to be taken by Tepco just after the earthquake and tsunami hit the Tepco Reactors in Fukushima. But, for some reason, Tepco kept saying that they could not get the electrical lines back in power and that they were working on it. Urgent messages were evidently sent back and forth to no avail. The Prime Minister's office was ordering Tepco to get it done at any cost and in any way.
At one point, Prime Minister Kan went to Tepco's head office and ordered them to start the venting, in order to avoid a hydrogen explosion. He felt that his orders were ignored and his cabinet then had to pass an urgent piece of legislation that ORDERED Tepco to comply. That is when Tepco finally started the venting process manually.
But it was too late, the first hydrogen explosion happened 12 hours later.
The Office of the Prime Minister had been trying to speed up the first venting action to be taken by Tepco just after the earthquake and tsunami hit the Tepco Reactors in Fukushima. But, for some reason, Tepco kept saying that they could not get the electrical lines back in power and that they were working on it. Urgent messages were evidently sent back and forth to no avail. The Prime Minister's office was ordering Tepco to get it done at any cost and in any way.
At one point, Prime Minister Kan went to Tepco's head office and ordered them to start the venting, in order to avoid a hydrogen explosion. He felt that his orders were ignored and his cabinet then had to pass an urgent piece of legislation that ORDERED Tepco to comply. That is when Tepco finally started the venting process manually.
But it was too late, the first hydrogen explosion happened 12 hours later.
Ookawa Elementary School
You will recall that 70% to 80% of the students at this school are believed to have died in the tsunami that followed the quake.
More details are coming forth about exactly what happened on that March 11th day, at just about the end of the school day,.... when all the children were getting ready to go home,... and those details are so sad and almost unbearable to think about.
The school is.... was.... a few kilometers from the ocean, but it was rather close to a large river. They were all getting ready to go home for the day, when the earthquake hit at 2:48 or so.... they did as they were always trained to do, everybody lined up and went outside. Students and teachers alike. Only one teacher from that day, who was at work, survived.
There is a large HILL just behind the school, the Japanese call a hill like that a YAMA, or a mountain, but it is not really a mountain, more like a steep, steep hill with bushes and trees growing on it. Some teachers thought the children should climb the hill but some thought it would be too hard for the little ones. So, instead of climbing the hill and living - because the tsunami did not make to the top of the hill - they decided to head for a high point RIGHT NEXT to the RIVER, of all places.
One of supports that holds up the bridge near the school is very high and I suppose the teachers though that all the students could safely wait there.
The tsunami hit them -- a 25 foot tall wall of water -- as they were running the long distance to that high place. The only teacher to survive that day is the one teacher who took his students up the hill and also, those who were absent that day....
You can see the map here where the school is and in satellite view, you can see the ruined school.
More details are coming forth about exactly what happened on that March 11th day, at just about the end of the school day,.... when all the children were getting ready to go home,... and those details are so sad and almost unbearable to think about.
The school is.... was.... a few kilometers from the ocean, but it was rather close to a large river. They were all getting ready to go home for the day, when the earthquake hit at 2:48 or so.... they did as they were always trained to do, everybody lined up and went outside. Students and teachers alike. Only one teacher from that day, who was at work, survived.
There is a large HILL just behind the school, the Japanese call a hill like that a YAMA, or a mountain, but it is not really a mountain, more like a steep, steep hill with bushes and trees growing on it. Some teachers thought the children should climb the hill but some thought it would be too hard for the little ones. So, instead of climbing the hill and living - because the tsunami did not make to the top of the hill - they decided to head for a high point RIGHT NEXT to the RIVER, of all places.
One of supports that holds up the bridge near the school is very high and I suppose the teachers though that all the students could safely wait there.
The tsunami hit them -- a 25 foot tall wall of water -- as they were running the long distance to that high place. The only teacher to survive that day is the one teacher who took his students up the hill and also, those who were absent that day....
You can see the map here where the school is and in satellite view, you can see the ruined school.
Many Highways Repaired in Days or Just Weeks
Many of the roads in the north, that were ruined by the quake have been fixed in just a few days.
Here are some photos:
The highway was repaired in 6 days and opened for traffic on March 23rd or 24th.
Here are some photos:
 |
| Soon after the quake - already a worker is checking it out |
 |
| All fixed! |
The highway was repaired in 6 days and opened for traffic on March 23rd or 24th.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
The Food Chain
I really wish I could find a good source of information that was in print online or where ever. I keep getting bits and pieces from experts on TV, but I can't write down the words fast enough.
Today, there was an expert on radiation and food, talking about radiation in the ocean and fish. He said that the problem with radioactive iodine would go away quickly because of the 8 day half life. The problem with radioactive cesium was a different matter. All of the reporters asked him about:
But the doctor/expert on today's panel said that radioactive cesium behaves in a different way in the body. He said that the big fish eating the little fish and thus concentrating the cesium does not really apply. Much (he did not say how much) of the cesium would be excreted as waste by the fish. (And I have heard, elsewhere, by humans too - one food/radiation expert said that 80% to 90% would be excreted as waste by humans if consumed). Also, any cesium that is taken in by the body would concentrate in the muscles and there is no cancer of the muscles. His contention was that concentration in the food chain was not an issue....
There was also a govt. minister on the panel and one of the reporters wanted "certificates" at the fish shops, for example, saying that the fish was tested and safe to eat. But her contention was that contaminated food, fish or vegetable, would be stopped at the source and never put in the food network in the first place and that we could all rest assured that anything being sold was safe to eat. She was not really in favor of "certificates".
Today, there was an expert on radiation and food, talking about radiation in the ocean and fish. He said that the problem with radioactive iodine would go away quickly because of the 8 day half life. The problem with radioactive cesium was a different matter. All of the reporters asked him about:
- the long half life of 30 years and
- the food chain where big fish eat the little fish and concentrate the contaminant.
But the doctor/expert on today's panel said that radioactive cesium behaves in a different way in the body. He said that the big fish eating the little fish and thus concentrating the cesium does not really apply. Much (he did not say how much) of the cesium would be excreted as waste by the fish. (And I have heard, elsewhere, by humans too - one food/radiation expert said that 80% to 90% would be excreted as waste by humans if consumed). Also, any cesium that is taken in by the body would concentrate in the muscles and there is no cancer of the muscles. His contention was that concentration in the food chain was not an issue....
There was also a govt. minister on the panel and one of the reporters wanted "certificates" at the fish shops, for example, saying that the fish was tested and safe to eat. But her contention was that contaminated food, fish or vegetable, would be stopped at the source and never put in the food network in the first place and that we could all rest assured that anything being sold was safe to eat. She was not really in favor of "certificates".
Thursday, April 7, 2011
The Earth Moved
Experts are already out in the ocean trying to figure out exactly where the quake was centered and what happened exactly.
Plywood is in Short Supply
Temporary Housing
25% of the plywood used in Japan is made in Tohoku, in the area where the earthquake happened. Suddenly plywood is in great demand! The whole construction industry is going into panic buying mode, each company buying up as much plywood as they can get their hands on. Without plywood, they can not finish the houses they are working on. The govt. is talking about quickly importing as much as they can get.
After the Kobe Quake, 16 years ago, it took 7 months to build all the temporary housing needed by the people who lost their homes. This came under a great deal of criticism. Soon after this quake, the govt. said that they wanted more than 30,000 temp. homes built within two months. In one small town, 36 temp. homes are ready. Yesterday they had a drawing. 18 of the tiny homes are for the elderly and 18 for the rest. There were 58 times more people applying for those 18 units!!
There are many problems with building the temp. homes. Finding enough flat land in each area that was not damaged by the tsunami is turning out to be a difficult task. Tohoku is very mountainous with little flat land except around the sea and port areas. Also, a plywood factory up north had all of its machines ruined. Their logs drifted all over the place in the tsunami. Workers with cranes are out in the debris, collecting as much as they can find. Many construction companies in Tohoku, first up to get these jobs, are finding that they have lost their tools as well, making it even more difficult if not impossible.
Life Lines
As of two days ago, the following services are up and running:
Supply Lines
Supermarkets are opening up for business again. Many Aeon branches (a huge supermarket chain found though out Japan) in the Tohoku area served as a refugee centers because of their huge available space. They are now ready to open for business again. The moment the quake hit, the company set up a earthquake/disaster committee in Tokyo to deal with the needs of those suffering and to get the right products in place for those in need. Many of the local store managers started giving away food immediately after the quake without waiting for word from the head office and were praised for doing so later by management. In one store, the manage gave away 2500 onigiri, rice balls, which the Japanese like to eat for a light meal. He gave away all the instant noodles and anything else that the people needed. He sleeps next to his desk and is first up in the early hours of the morning out taking care of the people still living in the store's plaza area.
Things like yogurt and natto (fermented beads) are in short supply. Not because milk or beans are not available. For example, with the blackouts that were happening last week, the yogurt makers did not have enough time to make the yogurt before the lights went out. They were afraid of the yogurt going bad. The natto makers had a different problem. The plastic sheeting used to cover the packages was in short supply and Japanese law says that all products must HAVE labels and expiry dates clearly listed. So the manufactures could not make anything for sale. But don't worry, they continued to make the natto (a very nutritional soy bean product) and sent all the packages up north to the quake hit areas as food. This was allowed by the Health Ministry!!
Bottled water is very hard to buy. Demand outstrips supply by 8 times. The govt. is thinking of importing lots of water. I haven't seen ONE bottle of water is a long time. Homes in the Kanto area around Tokyo can't be finished because plywood is in short supply as well as things like kitchens which are made in Tohoku.
The biggest water break in the world
Kamaishi has the biggest water break in the world. It is even a Guinness World Record! Well, as you all know, it failed. Bits and pieces of it can even be found here and there in Kamaishi port and on the shore. But, experts are now saying that because of the 63 meter (206 feet) deep water break, the town and the people in the town had an extra 6 minutes to escape. Also, the 63 m tall water break stopped a great deal of the tsunami from coming into the city, perhaps 40%.
The Mailman
The Japanese postal service is trying very hard to find people spread all over the countryside. Mailmen are now walking and riding their shooters over the debris trying to find people and to get their important mail to them. If someone is not in their home, they try to find out where they are and to get their letters to them.
25% of the plywood used in Japan is made in Tohoku, in the area where the earthquake happened. Suddenly plywood is in great demand! The whole construction industry is going into panic buying mode, each company buying up as much plywood as they can get their hands on. Without plywood, they can not finish the houses they are working on. The govt. is talking about quickly importing as much as they can get.
After the Kobe Quake, 16 years ago, it took 7 months to build all the temporary housing needed by the people who lost their homes. This came under a great deal of criticism. Soon after this quake, the govt. said that they wanted more than 30,000 temp. homes built within two months. In one small town, 36 temp. homes are ready. Yesterday they had a drawing. 18 of the tiny homes are for the elderly and 18 for the rest. There were 58 times more people applying for those 18 units!!
There are many problems with building the temp. homes. Finding enough flat land in each area that was not damaged by the tsunami is turning out to be a difficult task. Tohoku is very mountainous with little flat land except around the sea and port areas. Also, a plywood factory up north had all of its machines ruined. Their logs drifted all over the place in the tsunami. Workers with cranes are out in the debris, collecting as much as they can find. Many construction companies in Tohoku, first up to get these jobs, are finding that they have lost their tools as well, making it even more difficult if not impossible.
Life Lines
As of two days ago, the following services are up and running:
- Electric 96.7%
- Water 91.7%
- Gas 48%
Supply Lines
Supermarkets are opening up for business again. Many Aeon branches (a huge supermarket chain found though out Japan) in the Tohoku area served as a refugee centers because of their huge available space. They are now ready to open for business again. The moment the quake hit, the company set up a earthquake/disaster committee in Tokyo to deal with the needs of those suffering and to get the right products in place for those in need. Many of the local store managers started giving away food immediately after the quake without waiting for word from the head office and were praised for doing so later by management. In one store, the manage gave away 2500 onigiri, rice balls, which the Japanese like to eat for a light meal. He gave away all the instant noodles and anything else that the people needed. He sleeps next to his desk and is first up in the early hours of the morning out taking care of the people still living in the store's plaza area.
Things like yogurt and natto (fermented beads) are in short supply. Not because milk or beans are not available. For example, with the blackouts that were happening last week, the yogurt makers did not have enough time to make the yogurt before the lights went out. They were afraid of the yogurt going bad. The natto makers had a different problem. The plastic sheeting used to cover the packages was in short supply and Japanese law says that all products must HAVE labels and expiry dates clearly listed. So the manufactures could not make anything for sale. But don't worry, they continued to make the natto (a very nutritional soy bean product) and sent all the packages up north to the quake hit areas as food. This was allowed by the Health Ministry!!
Bottled water is very hard to buy. Demand outstrips supply by 8 times. The govt. is thinking of importing lots of water. I haven't seen ONE bottle of water is a long time. Homes in the Kanto area around Tokyo can't be finished because plywood is in short supply as well as things like kitchens which are made in Tohoku.
The biggest water break in the world
Kamaishi has the biggest water break in the world. It is even a Guinness World Record! Well, as you all know, it failed. Bits and pieces of it can even be found here and there in Kamaishi port and on the shore. But, experts are now saying that because of the 63 meter (206 feet) deep water break, the town and the people in the town had an extra 6 minutes to escape. Also, the 63 m tall water break stopped a great deal of the tsunami from coming into the city, perhaps 40%.
The Mailman
The Japanese postal service is trying very hard to find people spread all over the countryside. Mailmen are now walking and riding their shooters over the debris trying to find people and to get their important mail to them. If someone is not in their home, they try to find out where they are and to get their letters to them.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
We Live with Radiation Every Day
It seems we live with radiation every day.
Everywhere.
From outer space.
From the ground.
There is even a kind of "natural" radiation in our vegetables that we have been eating forever!
And 50 years ago, there was a 1,000 times more plutonium in the dirt in Osaka and Tokyo than there is today. WHY? Because of the atomic bomb testing done by the United States and Russia, then later by China and others.
---------------------------------
A 1,000 times plutonium in the dirt than there is now.
---------------------------------
Good to stress that. Also, this would be true of all countries of the world. But I bet the US had way more plutonium in its dirt and atmosphere than we would like to think, even now.
And then there are areas of the earth that have more natural radiation because of the make up of the land itself.
For example:
One professor said something interesting this morning:
even though cesium has a half life of 30 years, any cesium that fish may ingest, for example, will be reduced to half in 58 days.
We consider radiation a poison, but it is also a cure. They now have special radiation machines that can pin point the ray to a 2mm point inside cancer cells. It is a 5 minute treatment. And the patient is up and literally running after it is over.
Here is a link to a really good story in Forbes:
What are millisieverts and should Tokyo be scared of them
Everywhere.
From outer space.
From the ground.
There is even a kind of "natural" radiation in our vegetables that we have been eating forever!
And 50 years ago, there was a 1,000 times more plutonium in the dirt in Osaka and Tokyo than there is today. WHY? Because of the atomic bomb testing done by the United States and Russia, then later by China and others.
---------------------------------
A 1,000 times plutonium in the dirt than there is now.
---------------------------------
Good to stress that. Also, this would be true of all countries of the world. But I bet the US had way more plutonium in its dirt and atmosphere than we would like to think, even now.
And then there are areas of the earth that have more natural radiation because of the make up of the land itself.
For example:
- Japan has an average of 0.43 micro sieverts
- US has 0.40 micro sieverts
- China has 0.54 micro sieverts
- one place in Brazil has 5.5 micro sieverts
- and one place in Iran has 10.2 micro sieverts
One professor said something interesting this morning:
even though cesium has a half life of 30 years, any cesium that fish may ingest, for example, will be reduced to half in 58 days.
We consider radiation a poison, but it is also a cure. They now have special radiation machines that can pin point the ray to a 2mm point inside cancer cells. It is a 5 minute treatment. And the patient is up and literally running after it is over.
Here is a link to a really good story in Forbes:
What are millisieverts and should Tokyo be scared of them
Monday, April 4, 2011
3 Weeks After the Quake
April 4. 2011
Three weeks or so have passed since the quake hit.
Some 12,000 people are confirmed dead and 15,000 or so are still missing.
The highest tsunami was 37.9 meters. 124 feet! In Miyakoshi.
Local governments are starting to get back on their feet and are offering other services besides just relief activities. People are being encouraged to apply for relief from real estate taxes, for example.
Leaders are starting to appear here and there. In one small village, the owner of 4 fishing ships is overseeing the care of 30 people in his area. He got them to safety and found them food, created bathing facilities and has now found them a new place to stay. More an more of these local leaders are starting to stand on their feet and to take charge of their lives and their communities lives again.
On a happier note, the president of Softbank (a big internet/telephone company), Masayoshi Son, will give 10 billion yen of his personal money to the quake victims. And he will also give all his earnings till retirement to support orphans, including those who lost their parents in the earthquake and tsunami. (Read the Japan Times story here.) His company has also given 1 billion yen. Now, remember, the Red Cross has collected 115 billion yen for earthquake relief so far and you can see the extent of his generosity. Other men like the president of Uniqlo are giving 1 billion each from their personal funds.
Three days after the quake hit, Kajiwara san started looking for the 7 members of his family that were missing. He walked though the broken houses and cars and ships with a stick to help his 73 year old legs to stay upright. His son, his son's wife, her parents and the 3 grandchildren. Two weeks later, when we see him again, he has found his son and 2 of his grandchildren. It seems his son's wife, her parents and the little 5 year old grandchild were missing till they found the little boy dead in the fields. They can not find the car that they were all fleeing in or the other three members of the family. Everyday they go to the make-shift morgue to search with no luck.
A few days ago, they went back to their house to find it still standing like a shell with nothing but dirt in it. They looked thought the house and found in the upstairs closet a package that had not been harmed. The carp / fish flags flown in May to celebrate boys day. They were so happy to find this that they got it out and set the pole up in the debris and flew the carp flags. It seemed like a gift.
Three weeks or so have passed since the quake hit.
Some 12,000 people are confirmed dead and 15,000 or so are still missing.
The highest tsunami was 37.9 meters. 124 feet! In Miyakoshi.
Local governments are starting to get back on their feet and are offering other services besides just relief activities. People are being encouraged to apply for relief from real estate taxes, for example.
Leaders are starting to appear here and there. In one small village, the owner of 4 fishing ships is overseeing the care of 30 people in his area. He got them to safety and found them food, created bathing facilities and has now found them a new place to stay. More an more of these local leaders are starting to stand on their feet and to take charge of their lives and their communities lives again.
On a happier note, the president of Softbank (a big internet/telephone company), Masayoshi Son, will give 10 billion yen of his personal money to the quake victims. And he will also give all his earnings till retirement to support orphans, including those who lost their parents in the earthquake and tsunami. (Read the Japan Times story here.) His company has also given 1 billion yen. Now, remember, the Red Cross has collected 115 billion yen for earthquake relief so far and you can see the extent of his generosity. Other men like the president of Uniqlo are giving 1 billion each from their personal funds.
Three days after the quake hit, Kajiwara san started looking for the 7 members of his family that were missing. He walked though the broken houses and cars and ships with a stick to help his 73 year old legs to stay upright. His son, his son's wife, her parents and the 3 grandchildren. Two weeks later, when we see him again, he has found his son and 2 of his grandchildren. It seems his son's wife, her parents and the little 5 year old grandchild were missing till they found the little boy dead in the fields. They can not find the car that they were all fleeing in or the other three members of the family. Everyday they go to the make-shift morgue to search with no luck.
A few days ago, they went back to their house to find it still standing like a shell with nothing but dirt in it. They looked thought the house and found in the upstairs closet a package that had not been harmed. The carp / fish flags flown in May to celebrate boys day. They were so happy to find this that they got it out and set the pole up in the debris and flew the carp flags. It seemed like a gift.
 |
| Carp 'flags' flown to celebrate Boys Day - this is a generic photo. |
Animal Rescue
What happened to the Animals
Thoughts are starting to turn to the animal victims of the quake and the tsunami. There was another live rescue out on the ocean, way out to sea. Again the Japanese Self-Defense Force ships found a dog alive on a roof top miles out to sea yesterday. They saved him and fed him. He seemed fairly well. It was thought that he had somehow gotten drinking water from the rain, while out at sea.
But, at a large 'sea world' type aquarium, 750 species, or 200,000 individual fish had died because the water in their huge tank had gotten too cold. The larger animals, like seals, were being sent to other aquariums.
Zoos are running out of food, but they are now being supplied by other zoos around Japan.Their keepers are living at the zoos trying to care for them as best they can.
Dolphins were found dead 6 k inland in some areas. They must have been carried in by the tsunami. Many other deaths must have occurred out at sea. Little is known at this time about the effect of the tsunami on the fishing in the area, one of the richest in the world and Japan.
Pets are usually not allowed into the refugee centers. Some don't like them or are allergic to them. So people who were able to save their pets or who went back for them later have a hard road to go down. Some stay with their pet in their car - and suffer from "economy syndrome" (something you can suffer from if you sit in a tight space, like an airplane, for too long). Some go every day, back home, where their pet is waiting to feed them there. Many pet hotels and pet hospitals are full and can not offer much more help to those in need.
One expert in the field said that a new way of thinking is needed to handle pet care and pet emergencies in the future.
Thoughts are starting to turn to the animal victims of the quake and the tsunami. There was another live rescue out on the ocean, way out to sea. Again the Japanese Self-Defense Force ships found a dog alive on a roof top miles out to sea yesterday. They saved him and fed him. He seemed fairly well. It was thought that he had somehow gotten drinking water from the rain, while out at sea.
But, at a large 'sea world' type aquarium, 750 species, or 200,000 individual fish had died because the water in their huge tank had gotten too cold. The larger animals, like seals, were being sent to other aquariums.
Zoos are running out of food, but they are now being supplied by other zoos around Japan.Their keepers are living at the zoos trying to care for them as best they can.
Dolphins were found dead 6 k inland in some areas. They must have been carried in by the tsunami. Many other deaths must have occurred out at sea. Little is known at this time about the effect of the tsunami on the fishing in the area, one of the richest in the world and Japan.
Pets are usually not allowed into the refugee centers. Some don't like them or are allergic to them. So people who were able to save their pets or who went back for them later have a hard road to go down. Some stay with their pet in their car - and suffer from "economy syndrome" (something you can suffer from if you sit in a tight space, like an airplane, for too long). Some go every day, back home, where their pet is waiting to feed them there. Many pet hotels and pet hospitals are full and can not offer much more help to those in need.
One expert in the field said that a new way of thinking is needed to handle pet care and pet emergencies in the future.
Radiation in Perspective
Lets Keep things in Perspective
This chart combines a lot of the radiation figures we have been hearing into one whole.
Print it out for yourself.
Here is a link to the online Radiation chart.
This chart combines a lot of the radiation figures we have been hearing into one whole.
Print it out for yourself.
Here is a link to the online Radiation chart.
Fukushima Plant Workers Start to Tell Their Story
April 2nd, 2011
Workers Comments
I head an interview with a couple of workers at the Fukushima Plant.
One man said that he did not know how much radioactive contamination he has suffered because there were not enough Dosimeters, or radiation tracking devices, to go around. Tepco had had 5,000 on hand, but they were washed away by the tsunami. He started crying on the phone, saying 50 millisieverts, 100 millisieverts, 500 millisieverts, a 1000 millisieverts, he did not know how contaminated he was.
Another man who heard that they were being called heroes by the foreign press, said that "he did not want to be called a hero, he did not want to be a hero."
Another young man in his twenties said that they had never had a change to contact their families. They lived near by and he was sure his house had been washed away.
The men in the control room hid under their desks during the earthquake. The ceiling fell down. They had been sure that nothing like this would ever happen.
During the first 3 days, several hundred men worked straight though without rest or food.
Now, they have meals only 2 times a day, some dried biscuits and a can of cooked chicken or fish. There is no water, no toilets with running water. During the first 3 days, there was not enough food for everyone. Many people ate no food or only had 1 meal during that time. They only had 1 blanket, when they slept.
Many of the people working in the plant come from sub-contractors, not Tepco people. The president of one of these companies goes out regularly to get food and drink for his people. He contacts their families and talks to them about what is going on. He said that many never want to work on a nuclear plant again.
On the 4th day, one young man learned that his house had be swept away. He lost his parents and his grandparents.
Again, the president of the sub-contracting company said that he felt he had betrayed a lot of people. He said that before, older people would ask him if it was safe and he would say, "hey, I'm living here with my family, would I do that if it wasn't safe." Now, he feels he betrayed them, his family, the town, the prefecture, the country.
Before it became a shockingly big story, Tepco, knew that they needed more Dosimeters, or radiation tracking devices. But they did not get them. Instead, they used the buddy system, where one worker would have the dosimeter and others would check out his. But a professor expert said that if a person was standing 1 meter close to a hot area and another was 3 meters away, the person standing 1 meter away would get 10 times the dose... so the buddy system does not really work. Once the news got out, other nuclear plants in Japan shared their dosimeters.
Looking for Work
My son heard that Tepco is offering 50,000 yen a day pay (a little over 550 dollars a day) to workers to come and help in the clean up, but there are few takers. Well, can you blame them. No food to speak of, bad sleeping conditions, no dosimeters. Seemingly little care or thought from the company.
My son said if they had done this, the situation might have been different:: Long ago when the plant was first built, they should have built a big house next to the plant and have the directors of Tepco live there by turns - several months or years. The president, the chairman, all the directors. Then the plant would have had must better safety systems in place. But they all live in Tokyo, so they don't care in the same way.
Farmers comments about the Plant
One farmer from within the 20 k exclusion limit, said that they will most likely not be able to use their land for decades. One wife said, "we supported Tokyo by providing a place for electricity to be produced with our sacrifice, they should support us now. There is still little or no searching going on the dead in the exclusion area, especially along the coast.
Workers Comments
I head an interview with a couple of workers at the Fukushima Plant.
One man said that he did not know how much radioactive contamination he has suffered because there were not enough Dosimeters, or radiation tracking devices, to go around. Tepco had had 5,000 on hand, but they were washed away by the tsunami. He started crying on the phone, saying 50 millisieverts, 100 millisieverts, 500 millisieverts, a 1000 millisieverts, he did not know how contaminated he was.
Another man who heard that they were being called heroes by the foreign press, said that "he did not want to be called a hero, he did not want to be a hero."
Another young man in his twenties said that they had never had a change to contact their families. They lived near by and he was sure his house had been washed away.
The men in the control room hid under their desks during the earthquake. The ceiling fell down. They had been sure that nothing like this would ever happen.
During the first 3 days, several hundred men worked straight though without rest or food.
Now, they have meals only 2 times a day, some dried biscuits and a can of cooked chicken or fish. There is no water, no toilets with running water. During the first 3 days, there was not enough food for everyone. Many people ate no food or only had 1 meal during that time. They only had 1 blanket, when they slept.
Many of the people working in the plant come from sub-contractors, not Tepco people. The president of one of these companies goes out regularly to get food and drink for his people. He contacts their families and talks to them about what is going on. He said that many never want to work on a nuclear plant again.
On the 4th day, one young man learned that his house had be swept away. He lost his parents and his grandparents.
Again, the president of the sub-contracting company said that he felt he had betrayed a lot of people. He said that before, older people would ask him if it was safe and he would say, "hey, I'm living here with my family, would I do that if it wasn't safe." Now, he feels he betrayed them, his family, the town, the prefecture, the country.
Before it became a shockingly big story, Tepco, knew that they needed more Dosimeters, or radiation tracking devices. But they did not get them. Instead, they used the buddy system, where one worker would have the dosimeter and others would check out his. But a professor expert said that if a person was standing 1 meter close to a hot area and another was 3 meters away, the person standing 1 meter away would get 10 times the dose... so the buddy system does not really work. Once the news got out, other nuclear plants in Japan shared their dosimeters.
Looking for Work
My son heard that Tepco is offering 50,000 yen a day pay (a little over 550 dollars a day) to workers to come and help in the clean up, but there are few takers. Well, can you blame them. No food to speak of, bad sleeping conditions, no dosimeters. Seemingly little care or thought from the company.
My son said if they had done this, the situation might have been different:: Long ago when the plant was first built, they should have built a big house next to the plant and have the directors of Tepco live there by turns - several months or years. The president, the chairman, all the directors. Then the plant would have had must better safety systems in place. But they all live in Tokyo, so they don't care in the same way.
Farmers comments about the Plant
One farmer from within the 20 k exclusion limit, said that they will most likely not be able to use their land for decades. One wife said, "we supported Tokyo by providing a place for electricity to be produced with our sacrifice, they should support us now. There is still little or no searching going on the dead in the exclusion area, especially along the coast.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
No More Japanese Cigarettes!
Cigarettes!
How Japanese can you get?
My husband went out today to buy a pack of his favorite cigarettes and the shelves were empty of Japanese cigarettes! There were only foreign brands. And the reason why? All the cigarette filters used in Japanese cigarettes were made in Tohoku and the factory was destroyed. He was told he had to wait a month to get his favorite brand, but the clerk was not sure that there would really be Japanese cigarettes in a month....
How Japanese can you get?
My husband went out today to buy a pack of his favorite cigarettes and the shelves were empty of Japanese cigarettes! There were only foreign brands. And the reason why? All the cigarette filters used in Japanese cigarettes were made in Tohoku and the factory was destroyed. He was told he had to wait a month to get his favorite brand, but the clerk was not sure that there would really be Japanese cigarettes in a month....
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