Fukushima expedition to climb and name 4 unscaled Karakorum mountain peaks

Fukushima expedition to climb 4 unscaled Karakorum peaks The Yomiuri Shimbun FUKUSHIMA--The Fukushima Prefecture chapter of the Japanese Alpine Club will send an expedition to climb four unscaled peaks in Pakistan's Karakorum mountain range, in a bid to encourage the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, it has been learned. The expedition is also meant to show the world the determination of the people affected by the disaster. Scheduled to depart in July, the expedition will take on the 6,000-meter-class peaks in a joint team with Pakistani climbers. If they conquer the unnamed peaks for the first time, the climbers will be given the right to name them by the Pakistani government. The alpine club hopes to name the peaks with words related to "restoration" and "hope" if local people agree with the idea. "We'd like to encourage Fukushima residents," said Tsuneo Miyamori, 80, captain of the expedition, who conceived the idea of the mission. The expedition comprises about 20 people, including about 15 Japanese members mainly in their 60s. Miyamori, the oldest member of the expedition, successfully climbed three unscaled 6,000-meter-class peaks in Pakistan's Hindukush mountain range in 1967. In 1977, he joined an expedition to climb K2, the world's second-highest mountain, as a technical member in charge of surveying. That expedition was also sponsored by the alpine club. While he was mapping glaciers during more than 40 visits to Pakistan, he noticed that the four peaks, whose heights range from 6,006 meters to 6,057 meters, were unscaled. The Fukushima chapter planned the July expedition as its first overseas expedition to mark its 65th anniversary and started preparation with the Pakistani side in the autumn of 2010. However, after the earthquake and tsunami and the outbreak of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in March last year, organizers began considering canceling the expedition. Miyamori, who runs an antique store in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, was one of the many who suffered damage from the earthquake. Some of the ceramics displayed in his store were broken, and he was forced to close a part of the store. Kazuo Sato, 64, who heads the climbing team and hails from the city of Fukushima, was also affected by the disaster. Concerned about the effects of radiation from the crippled nuclear power plant, his daughter, 38, who had lived in his neighborhood, evacuated to Akita with her two daughters. Shortly after the earthquake, Sato received an e-mail from a Pakistani member of the expedition, who was concerned about the effect of radiation on Sato's health. The e-mail said, "Emigrate to Pakistan as soon as possible." However, all members of the expedition agreed they wanted to show the world that Fukushima will never give in to the disaster. In April last year, the decision to carry out the expedition project was officially made. The Pakistani ambassador to Japan, who knew about the project, invited Miyamori to the embassy in Tokyo in April this year and encouraged him. The expedition is scheduled to leave Japan on July 9 and return on Aug. 3. The climbers plan to plant a flag with an image of Kibitan, Fukushima Prefecture's mascot character, on it together with the national flags of both countries on each peak. Miyamori and Sato said they wanted to tell the world from the mountaintops that "Fukushima is doing OK." (Jun. 9, 2012)

Fukushima expedition to climb and name 4 unscaled Karakorum mountain peaks

Fukushima expedition to climb 4 unscaled Karakorum peaks The Yomiuri Shimbun FUKUSHIMA--The Fukushima Prefecture chapter of the Japanese Alpine Club will send an expedition to climb four unscaled peaks in Pakistan's Karakorum mountain range, in a bid to encourage the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, it has been learned. The expedition is also meant to show the world the determination of the people affected by the disaster. Scheduled to depart in July, the expedition will take on the 6,000-meter-class peaks in a joint team with Pakistani climbers. If they conquer the unnamed peaks for the first time, the climbers will be given the right to name them by the Pakistani government. The alpine club hopes to name the peaks with words related to "restoration" and "hope" if local people agree with the idea. "We'd like to encourage Fukushima residents," said Tsuneo Miyamori, 80, captain of the expedition, who conceived the idea of the mission. The expedition comprises about 20 people, including about 15 Japanese members mainly in their 60s. Miyamori, the oldest member of the expedition, successfully climbed three unscaled 6,000-meter-class peaks in Pakistan's Hindukush mountain range in 1967. In 1977, he joined an expedition to climb K2, the world's second-highest mountain, as a technical member in charge of surveying. That expedition was also sponsored by the alpine club. While he was mapping glaciers during more than 40 visits to Pakistan, he noticed that the four peaks, whose heights range from 6,006 meters to 6,057 meters, were unscaled. The Fukushima chapter planned the July expedition as its first overseas expedition to mark its 65th anniversary and started preparation with the Pakistani side in the autumn of 2010. However, after the earthquake and tsunami and the outbreak of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in March last year, organizers began considering canceling the expedition. Miyamori, who runs an antique store in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, was one of the many who suffered damage from the earthquake. Some of the ceramics displayed in his store were broken, and he was forced to close a part of the store. Kazuo Sato, 64, who heads the climbing team and hails from the city of Fukushima, was also affected by the disaster. Concerned about the effects of radiation from the crippled nuclear power plant, his daughter, 38, who had lived in his neighborhood, evacuated to Akita with her two daughters. Shortly after the earthquake, Sato received an e-mail from a Pakistani member of the expedition, who was concerned about the effect of radiation on Sato's health. The e-mail said, "Emigrate to Pakistan as soon as possible." However, all members of the expedition agreed they wanted to show the world that Fukushima will never give in to the disaster. In April last year, the decision to carry out the expedition project was officially made. The Pakistani ambassador to Japan, who knew about the project, invited Miyamori to the embassy in Tokyo in April this year and encouraged him. The expedition is scheduled to leave Japan on July 9 and return on Aug. 3. The climbers plan to plant a flag with an image of Kibitan, Fukushima Prefecture's mascot character, on it together with the national flags of both countries on each peak. Miyamori and Sato said they wanted to tell the world from the mountaintops that "Fukushima is doing OK." (Jun. 9, 2012)

Fukushima Reactor Global Security Issue: Japanese Former Diplomat

Environment

Fukushima Reactor Global Security Issue: Japanese Former Diplomat

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Tokyo- (PanOrient News) The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Number 4 reactor presents a security problem for the entire world, Mitsuhei Murata, Japan's former ambassador to Switzerland said.

Fukushima Daiichi plants are "not under control at all... and the situation with nuclear reactors in Japan is like vehicles being driven without a license," Mr. Murata told a news conference at the foreign correspondents' club of Japan on June 5. 

Four nuclear plants in Fukushima Daiichi were damaged by last year’s great earthquake and tsunami. Recently, people have expressed concerns about Unit 4’s spent fuel pool which stores more than 1500 rods. The unit would be too fragile to withstand an M7-class earthquake.

The Japanese government also thinks that the Unit 4 problem is critical, and are planning to move many of the rods from the pool in 2013. 

324 Civic organizations from all over the world have submitted a petition called "An Urgent Request for UN Intervention to Stabilize the Fukushima Unit 4 Spent Nuclear Fuel", Mr. Murata said noting that those organizations are also demanding a moratorium on Japan's nuclear reactors. "This reflects a loss of confidence in the government and Tokyo Electric Power Company, TEPCO,” he said. 

Expressing strong anxiety regarding Japan's nuclear policy, Murata revealed he had advised PM Yoshihiko Noda that the only way to restore honor for Japan and himself as prime minister is to establish a national policy by August of non-dependence on nuclear energy. 

Warning of the acute danger of Unit 4. at Fukushima Daiichi, Murata said that recent revised estimates by the Japanese government found that the probability of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Fukushima within the next three years is 90%. "But Unit 4 reactor, which was substantially damaged by the tsunami and subsequent explosion will not survive a 7.0 magnitude earthquake," he said. 

He pointed out "the nuclear village and nuclear dictatorship is exposed, and public opinion and their movements are strong.”Nuclear village is a term for the Japanese distorted social structure in which the pronuclear politicians, scholars and companies have more power than those who are skeptical of nuclear energy. Anti-nuclear protests have been ignored for more than 40 years.

He concluded that "the lessons of Fukushima have reminded the whole world of the great principle for humanity. The possibility for unbearable consequences must be zero" and stressed the need for “the shift from priority of economy to priority toward life. The true cause for the present crisis is lack of ethics."

Mr. Murata was Japan’s ambassador to Switzerland form 1996 to 1999.

 

 

City in Fukushima seeks 243 million yen compensation from TEPCO

City in Fukushima to seek redress from TEPCO over damage to hospital, water supply operations

IWAKI, Fukushima -- The city of Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture said June 4 that it will seek about 243 million yen in compensation from Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), saying its hospital and water supply operations have suffered damage from the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant.

Iwaki officials said the city government is seeking redress for sagging revenue because of a drop in the number of patients at city-run hospitals and installation costs it has shouldered for radiation dosimetry gear at water supply facilities.

They said the city will seek additional compensation if it confirms fresh damage from the Fukushima nuclear crisis.

The town of Futaba and other municipalities in the prefecture have demanded similar compensation for damages against the operator of the crippled nuclear power plant.

June 04, 2012(Mainichi Japan)

Click here for the original Japanese story

Japan Crisis Hotline faces overload -20.000 calls received each day by post Earthquake call center

Crisis hotline faces overload / 20,000 calls received each day by call center set up after earthquake

"Tomoko Endo, secretariat chief of the support center, said: "I'm sure there are many other people who have serious problems. I want the government to expand this kind of support system."

The Yomiuri Shimbun

A government-subsidized free telephone consultation service that started in March in response to growing social problems after the Great East Japan Earthquake is being overwhelmed, it has been learned.

Calls from people with various worries have surpassed the hotline's capacity. This reflects the severity of the current social climate, as the hotline takes many calls about serious concerns such as "I want to die" and "I haven't eaten anything for five days."

The around-the-clock service, named "Yorisoi (staying together) Hotline," is operated by the Shakaiteki Hosetsu (social inclusion) Support Center, a general incorporated association based in Tokyo.

As a support service that accepts calls about issues such as poverty, unemployment and bullying, the hotline has become a well-known resource. About 20,000 calls are received each day but only about 1,200 of them are connected.

At each of the hotline's 38 call centers located throughout the nation, 30 lines are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. At other times 10 lines are available. Two consultants are in charge of one line and a total of about 1,200 counseling staff take turns accepting calls.

Local lawyers who have cooperated with the project provide advice when needed. If problems are life-threatening, support staff from welfare organizations rush to callers' locations.

As awareness of the hotline spread through word of mouth on the Internet and other means, it became difficult to get through to a consultant. Currently, a call is only connected after 20 attempts on average.

About 70 percent of problems concern everyday issues, with many of the callers in their 30s to 50s. Their problems are mainly about poverty and solitude. Their troubles include "I lost my house after I became unemployed," "There is no point in living" and "I just wanted to talk with someone."

A man in his 30s who lost his job and has applied for welfare called for help, saying, "I have no money and haven't eaten anything for days." The consultant who took his call judged the man was in a life-threatening condition from his worn-out voice. The consultant contacted a support center, which delivered some food to him. The man was grateful, saying, "No one had helped me before even though I consulted some offices."

Twenty percent of consultations are about suicide. A man in his 30s called the hotline at the end of March, saying, "I have prepared a kitchen knife as I intend to kill myself." The man was quoted by a consultant as saying he was a bachelor whose parents had passed away. He had to quit his job due to illness. The consultant listened to his woes for two hours before contacting a support center. A staff member then raced to help the man. The man is now starting to regain his will to live, according to the support center.

Consultations about violence against women and sexual issues each account for 6 percent of calls.

Tomoko Endo, secretariat chief of the support center, said: "I'm sure there are many other people who have serious problems. I want the government to expand this kind of support system."

The center started the hotline service in Sendai in October last year. The hotline was chosen as an assistance project by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, which aims to help people solve their problems when facing difficulties. After receiving subsidies of around 2.1 billion yen from the government, the hotline service has expanded nationwide.

(Jun. 4, 2012)

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120603002354.htm

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Dounreay staff Scotland offer advice on Japan's Fukushima Number One Nuclear plant

 

Dounreay staff offer advice on Japan's Fukushima

 

 

Japan is trying to deal with the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster

Efforts to clean up a seabed off Scotland's coast could provide Japan with solutions to dealing with its earthquake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant.

Radioactive particles were flushed from Dounreay in Caithness into the sea through the plant's liquid discharge pipe in the 1960s and 1970s.

The fragments contaminated local beaches and seabed. Work to recover the seabed particles started in 2008.

Staff from Dounreay have been to Japan to offer advice.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was crippled after being hit by a tsunami in the aftermath of a huge earthquake in March 2011.

Radiation leaks were recorded following subsequent explosions and fires.

Late last month, power company Tepco said reactors at the plant were stable.

But there was concern about the spent fuel pool on the top floor of the badly damaged reactor number four building.

Work to clean up the seabed near Dounreay started in 2008

If it collapses, it could cause another catastrophe, officials have warned. But Tepco said it has reinforced the structure against another earthquake.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of residents remain evacuated from an exclusion zone around the plant.

Phil Cartwright, senior manager in charge of contaminated land clean up at Dounreay, said lessons learned in Scotland could help Japan deal with radioactive contamination.

He said: "At Dounreay, we had a release of radioactive material beyond the site, increasing public anxiety in the late 1990s about the potential health effects and controls put in place to protect public health."

A strategy was produced to deal with contamination, including efforts to detect and recover particles from the seabed near the site, he said.

Mr Cartwright added: "Japan is at the start of a much bigger clean-up project with significant challenges both on and off site but the issues they face are similar to those we had to work through, even though ours were on a much smaller and more localised scale.

"They were very interested in our experience."

Dounreay has already donated equipment to Japan for use in dealing with the damaged Fukushima Daiichi complex.

Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) gathered a van-load of respirators, hand-held radiation survey kit, masks and suits.

The equipment was driven to Sellafield, in Cumbria, for distribution.

 

International Therapy Dog Association

Soon-to-open center to turn disaster-hit dogs into therapy dogs

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Tokyo-based International Therapy Dog Association plans to open a center in the Japanese capital this summer aimed at turning dogs without owners after the March 2011 disaster into therapy dogs, officials of the group said.

The group plans to take custody of about 100 such dogs in Fukushima Prefecture and train them over a two-year period to help in provision of mental health care for disaster victims, they said.

The group has so far trained about 100 abandoned dogs facing euthanasia to become therapy dogs, sending them to nursing homes and hospitals.

Toru Oki, a blues singer who represents the association, has visited disaster-hit areas as a volunteer and took custody of 10 dogs left behind or born in areas where residents evacuated following the Fukushima nuclear accident.

Convinced that dogs are also victims of the disaster, Oki took steps to establish the center in order to save them.

With support from the government, the center is expected to open in Tokyo by around September, and about 10 full-time staff members will train the dogs for a "homecoming" assignment to Fukushima. Once the dogs fulfill their duties, they will be looked after at the center for the rest of their lives.

"The mental health care of disaster victims will enter a crucial period from now on," Oki said. "By spending time with therapy dogs, which are capable of sensing people's pain, we hope to relax the minds of victims as much as we can," he said.

The association is currently asking for donations to support its activities. For inquiries, call 03-5537-2815.

June 01, 2012(Mainichi Japan

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20120601p2g00m0dm040000c.html