SENDAI, Japan – The estimated death toll from Japan's disasters climbed past 10,000 Sunday as authorities raced to combat the threat of multiple nuclear reactor meltdowns and hundreds of thousands of people struggled to find food and water. The prime minister said it was the nation's worst crisis since World War II.
Nuclear plant operators worked frantically to try to keep temperatures down in several reactors crippled by the earthquake and tsunami, wrecking at least two by dumping sea water into them in last-ditch efforts to avoid meltdowns. Officials warned of a second explosion but said it would not pose a health threat.
Near-freezing temperatures compounded the misery of survivors along hundreds of miles (kilometers) of the northeastern coast battered by the tsunami that smashed inland with breathtaking fury. Rescuers pulled bodies from mud-covered jumbles of wrecked houses, shattered tree trunks, twisted cars and tangled power lines while survivors examined the ruined remains.
11/3/11 Let them be remembered.
Jog With Actor Josh Duhamel for Japan
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| Josh Duhamel |
Source: AOL News
It's the description of the best charity event ever: a sunny day on the beach in Santa Monica. With movie star Josh Duhamel. Who might even take his shirt off.
Alas, it's not a charity event geared toward moms but one for kids. The "Transformers" star is inviting runners to bring their kids and participate in his two-mile Youth Run 4 Japan on Sunday to raise money for the American Red Cross' relief efforts in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Japan: Huge Radiation Spike at Nuclear Plant Was a Mistake
Source: AOL News
TOKYO -- Emergency workers struggling to pump contaminated water from Japan's stricken nuclear complex fled from one of the troubled reactors Sunday after reporting a huge increase in radioactivity -- a spike that officials later apologetically said was inaccurate.
The apology came after employees fled the complex's Unit 2 reactor when a reading showed radiation levels had reached 10 million times higher than normal in the reactor's cooling system. Officials said they were so high that the worker taking the measurements had withdrawn before taking a second reading.
TOKYO -- Emergency workers struggling to pump contaminated water from Japan's stricken nuclear complex fled from one of the troubled reactors Sunday after reporting a huge increase in radioactivity -- a spike that officials later apologetically said was inaccurate.
The apology came after employees fled the complex's Unit 2 reactor when a reading showed radiation levels had reached 10 million times higher than normal in the reactor's cooling system. Officials said they were so high that the worker taking the measurements had withdrawn before taking a second reading.
Death toll rising
Number of confirmed deaths rose to 8,805, while 12,664 remain missing, the National Police Agency of Japan said. An additional 2,628 people were classified as injured.
Nuclear Plant's Fuel Rods Damaged, Leaking Into Sea
Source: Bloomberg
Tokyo Electric Power Co. said fuel rods at its Fukushima Dai-Ichi power plant have been damaged, releasing five kinds of radioactive material and contaminating seawater nearby.
The acknowledgements from the utility indicate poisons emanating from the plant may be spreading through the air and sea, raising concern over the safety of seafood from the coast of northeastern Japan and agriculture in the region.
The decay of radioactive fuel rods, composed of uranium and plutonium, was suspected by company officials five days after the March 11 magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami off the main island of Honshu.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. said fuel rods at its Fukushima Dai-Ichi power plant have been damaged, releasing five kinds of radioactive material and contaminating seawater nearby.
The acknowledgements from the utility indicate poisons emanating from the plant may be spreading through the air and sea, raising concern over the safety of seafood from the coast of northeastern Japan and agriculture in the region.
The decay of radioactive fuel rods, composed of uranium and plutonium, was suspected by company officials five days after the March 11 magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami off the main island of Honshu.
Boy of nine searching for family with a homemade sign
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| Still hoping: Toshihito Aisawa holding his sign. |
Source: Daily Mail UK
He has become a poignant symbol of the human tragedy in Japan.
Day after day, nine-year-old Toshihito Aisawa walks from shelter to shelter looking for his family.
Clutching hand-written signs bearing the names of his missing relatives, the schoolboy has spent the past week wandering the corridors of refugee centres in his ruined home city of Ishinomaki.
The boy last saw his mother, father and grandmother when they piled into their car in a desperate attempt to escape the tsunami.
High radiation found in Japanese spinach and milk
Source: Market Watch
The Japanese government said Saturday abnormally high levels of radioactive materials have been found in spinach and milk at farms as far as 70 miles from the crippled nuclear power plant, according to news reports. The government pleaded for calm, stressing that levels were still relatively low. Japan is the world's largest net importer of food and any concern over domestic agriculture is likely to worsen the trend. The tainted food products come from a fertile agricultural region. Tokyo Electric Power Co said it would offer compensation to farmers. The utility continued its efforts to cool the damaged reactor. A transmission line has been connected to one reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
The Japanese government said Saturday abnormally high levels of radioactive materials have been found in spinach and milk at farms as far as 70 miles from the crippled nuclear power plant, according to news reports. The government pleaded for calm, stressing that levels were still relatively low. Japan is the world's largest net importer of food and any concern over domestic agriculture is likely to worsen the trend. The tainted food products come from a fertile agricultural region. Tokyo Electric Power Co said it would offer compensation to farmers. The utility continued its efforts to cool the damaged reactor. A transmission line has been connected to one reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
Hollywood and celebrities donate to Japan
Source: Reuters
Hollywood has made plenty of disaster movies, but the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan is no fiction and the entertainment industry has responded to the dire situation there with generosity.
Oscar winner Sandra Bullock became the latest to join the cause when the American Red Cross said on Thursday that she had given $1 million to help victims of the disaster in Japan.
Several other celebrities and Hollywood studios have also pledged support to the nation.
Google updates its donation page
Google has updated its donation page with more charities to donate to. You simply enter an amount into the box of the charity you want, and you're good to go!
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| Screen capture |
Japan's Search for More Than 8,000 Still Missing
Source: AOL News
NATORI, Japan -- Line after line, a list on the wall of city hall reveals the dead. Some are named. Others are identified only by a short description.
Female. About 50. Peanuts in left chest pocket. Large mole. Seiko watch.
Male. 70-80 years old. Wearing an apron that says "Rentacom."
One set catches the eye of Hideki Kano, a man who appears to be in his 30s.
"I think that's my mom!" he says. He rushes out into the snow, headed for a makeshift morgue.
The list in Natori, and others along Japan's northeast coast, will only get longer.
NATORI, Japan -- Line after line, a list on the wall of city hall reveals the dead. Some are named. Others are identified only by a short description.
Female. About 50. Peanuts in left chest pocket. Large mole. Seiko watch.
Male. 70-80 years old. Wearing an apron that says "Rentacom."
One set catches the eye of Hideki Kano, a man who appears to be in his 30s.
"I think that's my mom!" he says. He rushes out into the snow, headed for a makeshift morgue.
The list in Natori, and others along Japan's northeast coast, will only get longer.
Japan's Emperor: "Never give up hope."
Source: CNN
(Updated with video)
Tokyo (CNN) -- Japan's beloved emperor dramatically took to the national TV airwaves Wednesday and buoyed the spirits of his disaster-stricken citizens in an extraordinary address before a nation grappling with the aftermath of an epic earthquake and a devastating tsunami, and amid growing fears of a nuclear catastrophe.
"I truly hope the victims of the disaster never give up hope, take care of themselves, and live strong for tomorrow," said the dignified and understated Emperor Akihito, in a calm and poignant oration delivered from the Imperial Palace.
Video: People running away from tsunami
I cried when I saw this video. To actually see the tsunami almost claim lives, and it is caught on camera. Heartbreaking.
Update: Fukushima/Daichi nuclear incident climbing the International Nuclear Event Scale
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| The International Nuclear Event Scale |
UPDATE: Fires reported in Fukushima-Daichi Nuclear Power Plant. More fires reported later in reactor No. 4. All workers were evacuated, except for 50 who are risking their lives to try and fix the reactors and prevent radiation leakages. Over 200,000 citizens evacuated. There just seems to be nothing but heart-wrenching news coming out of Japan.
Update: Death toll, number of missing persons rise
National Police in Japan report that 3,373 people are dead, and 7,558 people are missing.
Death toll rises, stocks plunge, foreigners flee as nuclear crisis escalates
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| Japan battles to prevent a nuclear catastrophe and to care for millions of people without power or water in its worst crisis since World War II. |
Source: Washington Post
By Chico Harlan
TOKYO — Torn up and terrified by a disaster that keeps on getting worse, Japan has transformed in just four days from one of the world’s most comfortable countries into one of its most distressed.
Thousands of people along the northeastern coast of Asia’s richest country are dead, and tens of thousands have gone days with little food, little water and almost no heat. Their towns have been demolished into soggy fields.
Update: Explosion Heard at Nuclear Plant
Source: AOL News
SOMA, Japan -- Radiation is spewing from damaged reactors at a crippled nuclear power plant in tsunami-ravaged northeastern Japan in a dramatic escalation of the 4-day-old catastrophe. The prime minister has warned residents to stay inside or risk getting radiation sickness.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Tuesday that a fourth reactor at the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex was on fire and that more radiation was released
Prime Minister Naoto Kan warned that there are dangers of more leaks and told people living within 19 miles (30 kilometers) of the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex stay indoors.
THIRD REACTOR AT FUKUSHIMA EXPLODES
NHK recently reported that the No. 2 reactor at Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant exploded. Previously, the No. 1 and No. 3 reactors exploded but posed no threat of radiation due to that fact that the inner container was not cracked. However, the explosion in the No. 2 reactor shows signs of cracking in the inner container, and higher radiation levels are being reported.
Millions in stricken areas without food, water or heating
Source: Today Online
TAKAJO (Japan) - Rescue workers used chainsaws and hand picks to dig out bodies in Japan's devastated coastal towns yesterday, as Asia's richest nation faced a mounting humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of a massive earthquake and tsunami.
Millions of people faced a fourth night without water, food or heating in near-freezing temperatures in devastated areas in the north-east.
According to public broadcaster NHK, about 430,000 people are living in emergency shelters or with relatives, while another 24,000 are stranded.
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| from AP Images |
Millions of people faced a fourth night without water, food or heating in near-freezing temperatures in devastated areas in the north-east.
According to public broadcaster NHK, about 430,000 people are living in emergency shelters or with relatives, while another 24,000 are stranded.
Japan disaster pummels world stocks
Source: Reuters
By Al Yoon
NEW YORK, March 14 (Reuters) - World stocks slid to six-week lows on Monday as the devastating toll from Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis continued to unfold, raising fears of the impact on industries ranging from insurance to power generation.
Oil prices fell on expectations of slower demand from Japan, the world's third largest economy and a major oil importer. Growing unrest in a Yemeni area bordering Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, limited the decline in oil prices.
By Al Yoon
NEW YORK, March 14 (Reuters) - World stocks slid to six-week lows on Monday as the devastating toll from Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis continued to unfold, raising fears of the impact on industries ranging from insurance to power generation.
Oil prices fell on expectations of slower demand from Japan, the world's third largest economy and a major oil importer. Growing unrest in a Yemeni area bordering Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, limited the decline in oil prices.
Second Explosion Raises Nuclear Fears
Source: ABC News
A new explosion ripped through a crippled nuclear plant as hundreds of people are being tested for radiation exposure and the death toll continued to climb following Friday's 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
"Worst since World War II" says Prime Minister Kan
SOURCE: News On Japan
Japan is experiencing its greatest hardships since World War II as it tackles the aftermath of an earthquake, tsunami and a growing nuclear crisis, Prime Minister Naoto Kan says. In a televised statement, Mr Kan warned of sweeping power cuts to come. He said the situation at the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant remained grave, a day after an explosion at a reactor.
Meanwhile, police have warned that the death toll in tsunami-hit Miyagi prefecture alone could exceed 10,000.
Millions of survivors remain without electricity and authorities are stepping up relief efforts as the scale of the tragedy becomes clearer.
UPDATE: Sendai, Japan
"More dead found than living." -CNN News
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SOURCE: Yahoo! NewsAid offers to Japan pour in as nuclear concerns mount
Source: Reuters
As foreign rescue workers combed debris to locate victims of Japan's quake and tsunami, countries offered further aid from field hospitals to atomic physicists to address an unfolding nuclear crisis.
Fire-fighters, sniffer dogs, clothing and food have been proposed in an outpouring of solidarity with Japan, with offers pouring in from nearly 70 countries, U.N. officials said.
Even the poor southern Afghan city of Kandahar announced it was donating $50,000 to the "brothers and sisters" of Japan.
Fire-fighters, sniffer dogs, clothing and food have been proposed in an outpouring of solidarity with Japan, with offers pouring in from nearly 70 countries, U.N. officials said.
Even the poor southern Afghan city of Kandahar announced it was donating $50,000 to the "brothers and sisters" of Japan.
Donate from anywhere in the world via Google
Google has now set up a donation box on their Crisis Response page. You can donate from anywhere in the world, and all proceeds go to the Japanese Red Cross Society. However, all donations must be in the Japanese Yen.
The Donation Section (screen capture):
The Donation Section (screen capture):
Japanese volcano erupts
Source: Times Live
A volcano in southwestern Japan erupted Sunday after nearly two weeks of relative silence, sending ash and rocks up to four kilometres (two and a half miles) into the air, a local official says.
A volcano in southwestern Japan erupted Sunday after nearly two weeks of relative silence, sending ash and rocks up to four kilometres (two and a half miles) into the air, a local official says.
Update: Threat of Nuclear Meltdown
Source: Yahoo! News
IWAKI, Japan – Cooling systems failed at another nuclear reactor on Japan's devastated coast Sunday, hours after an explosion at a nearby unit made leaking radiation, or even outright meltdown, the central threat to the country following a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami.
The Japanese government said radiation emanating from the plant appeared to have decreased after Saturday's blast, which produced a cloud of white smoke that obscured the complex. But the danger was grave enough that officials pumped seawater into the reactor to avoid disaster and moved 170,000 people from the area.
The Japanese government said radiation emanating from the plant appeared to have decreased after Saturday's blast, which produced a cloud of white smoke that obscured the complex. But the danger was grave enough that officials pumped seawater into the reactor to avoid disaster and moved 170,000 people from the area.
More ways to help (updated)
Network for Good has updated their website with more ways to donate to earthquake/tsunami relief, this time including Doctors Without Borders and Mercy Corps.
Japan's coastline and earth's axis altered, days are shorter
Friday's earthquake, which was 8.9 on the Richter scale, was so powerful that it moved Japan's main island, Honshu, 2.5 meters (8 feet) and shifted the world's axis by atleast 8 centimeters (4 inches). This resulted in the day being cut short by 1.6 microseconds, just under two millionths of a second.
Sources (Click link for full article):
VOANews.com
Times of India
Sources (Click link for full article):
VOANews.com
Times of India
BREAKING NEWS
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERMENT (directly translated from Japanese):
For Nuclear Emergency in Japan. Miracle has happened. There was no damage in a nuclear reactor by this explosion. Another miracle. Because an outer wall collapsed, they can coolwith seawater, and it's carried out already.
So there is no risk of another Chernobyl disaster. Thank goodness for that!
Get more news and resources from Google Crisis Response, including Message Boards, Transportation Status, Blackout Information, Useful Maps and Latest News.
HELP.
CitizenTube Videos
YouTube's CitizenTube is a channel that collects eyewitness videos and puts them together in one playlist.
Watch their Japan playlist here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/citizentube#grid/user/0870831CE43351E1
Watch their Japan playlist here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/citizentube#grid/user/0870831CE43351E1
CNN iReports
Watch iReports by CNN viewers who experienced the quake:
http://ireport.cnn.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=569459
These images are shocking. Some people have said that they look like something out of a science-fiction movie.
HELP
http://ireport.cnn.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=569459
These images are shocking. Some people have said that they look like something out of a science-fiction movie.
HELP
More ways to help
Network For Good -
A website that lets you donate to a cause via any charity (e.g. Save the Children, Shelter Box, Convoy of Hope)
Lady Gaga has designed a special bracelet for the Japanese disaster; all proceeds will go to Japanese relief efforts.
Google has restarted its missing person finder, which proved useful during other times of natural disaster. It is currently tracking over 64600 people.
BREAKING NEWS
The Japanese government is preparing to hand out iodine tablets which reduces radiation within the body, a precaution taken for fear of radiation spreading from the Fukushima Nuclear Plant whose reactor exploded earlier today.
A website that lets you donate to a cause via any charity (e.g. Save the Children, Shelter Box, Convoy of Hope)
Lady Gaga has designed a special bracelet for the Japanese disaster; all proceeds will go to Japanese relief efforts.
Google has restarted its missing person finder, which proved useful during other times of natural disaster. It is currently tracking over 64600 people.
BREAKING NEWS
The Japanese government is preparing to hand out iodine tablets which reduces radiation within the body, a precaution taken for fear of radiation spreading from the Fukushima Nuclear Plant whose reactor exploded earlier today.
HELP
There are several organisations that have set up ways to help Japan already:
Global Giving -
Text "JAPAN" to 50555 to donate $10
or
donate online
Salvation Army -
Text "JAPAN or "QUAKE" to 80888 to donate $10
or
donate online
Red Cross -
Text "JAPAN" to 90999 to donate $10
or
donate online
More ways to help coming soon
Global Giving -
Text "JAPAN" to 50555 to donate $10
or
donate online
Salvation Army -
Text "JAPAN or "QUAKE" to 80888 to donate $10
or
donate online
Red Cross -
Text "JAPAN" to 90999 to donate $10
or
donate online
More ways to help coming soon
March 12th, 2011
In the wake of the multiple disasters to hit Japan in the last 36 hours, I was deeply moved and decided I needed to do something. The earthquake that hit was an astounding 8.9 on the Richter scale; the most powerful earthquake to hit Japan (since record keeping started 150 years ago) and the fifth largest earthquake to shake the world. 32 people were pronounced dead soon after the earthquake, but death tolls are expected to pass 10,000. The small coastal town of Minamisanriku alone is missing 9,500 of its 17,000 residents.
The earthquake was soon followed by a tsunami that swept 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) inland. The nuclear reactor at Fukushima nuclear power plant exploded (although the explosion is speculated to be a man-made error).
Please, Japan and the Japanese people are in need of our help.
The earthquake was soon followed by a tsunami that swept 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) inland. The nuclear reactor at Fukushima nuclear power plant exploded (although the explosion is speculated to be a man-made error).
Please, Japan and the Japanese people are in need of our help.
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