Study: Concentrated Fukushima radioactive plume staying on narrow path toward U.S. — Moving with surface water along 40 N — Same latitude as Northern California (MAP)

Published: May 17th, 2013 at 3:51 pm ET
By ENENews

[...] The main body of radioactive surface plume of which activity exceeded 10 Bq m−3 travelled along 40° N and reached the International Date Line on March 2012, one year after the accident. A distinct feature of the radioactive plume was that it stayed confined along 40° N when the plume reached the International Date Line. [...]

A distinct feature of the radioactive plume was that it stayed confined along 40 N when the plume reached the International Date Line, as stated in Sect. 3.2. The radioactive plume travelled 1800 km (from 160 E to 178 E) for 270 days (9 months) (Fig. 5); therefore, an average zonal speed (u) of the surface radioactive plume was calculated to be about 8 cm s−1 which was consistent with the speed of the reported surface current of 4–16 cm s−1 in the region (Maximenko et al., 2009). [...]

We can also assume that the Fukushima radioactive plume moved with surface water [...]

Full study

5.9 earthquake strikes Japan off Fukushima coast

An earthquake with a magnitude measured at 5.9 by Japan’s Meteorological Agency has struck the northeast of the country. The epicenter was close to the Fukushima coast and only 200km from Tokyo, causing buildings in the capital to shake.

The quake struck at 2:48 pm (05:48 GMT) in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 50km (31 miles) from land. The United States Geological Survey recorded the earthquake as being of magnitude 6.1, with a depth of 33km (20.5 miles).

No tsunami warning has been issued, despite the offshore quake’s close proximity to Fukushima prefecture, where the magnitude 9.0 quake in March 2011 instigated the Tsunami, which led to the deaths of at least 16,000 people and nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s two nuclear plants in the prefecture reported no immediate irregularities as a result of the quake, according to the local Kyodo news agency.

Miyagi prefecture, further north, suffered the strongest impact from the quake. No information has been released on potential injuries. However, its Onagawa nuclear plant also recorded no irregularities, according to its operator Tohoku Electric Power Co.

“We have received no reports of damage so far,” an official from Fukushima prefecture told AFP.

RT
http://rt.com/news/japan-fukushima-earthquake-tokyo-468/

Statement from USJC President Irene Hirano Inouye on the Second Anniversary of March 11, 2011 – Press Release

From US Japan Council

March 11 2013

For Immediate Release

Two years ago today, Japan suffered enormous tragedy.  On the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, we remember the loss, but also recognize the progress made towards recovery and the strength and determination of the people of the Tohoku region.

I am currently in Japan with the 2013 Japanese American Leadership Delegation. This program brings Japanese Americans to Japan to build people-to-people connections with Japanese leaders from all sectors of society. For the first time in program history, the delegation visited Fukushima, where we learned about the state of the recovery efforts and sought to demonstrate that Fukushima is a safe and enjoyable place to visit. It was especially meaningful to be there on the anniversary of the disasters. From seniors to school children, we were inspired by the resilience and spirit of the people there.

We visited a temporarily-constructed elementary school that brings together three schools in one facility, spent time at Fukushima Medical University and toured an agricultural inspection center. At the exact moment of the earthquake, 2:46 p.m., we were at Odagaisama Center, a community support center for evacuees living in temporary housing. We observed a collective moment of silence.

Every visit in Fukushima reflected the sentiment that people want to share their experiences with the world so that others can benefit from the lessons learned. As Japanese Americans, we understand the importance of sharing one’s story in order to find common ground as the first step to building people-to-people and country-to-country connections.

Many alumni of the Japanese American Leadership Delegation program have shown a commitment to supporting Japan, reflecting the strong bonds built while on the trip. Past participants, along with U.S.-Japan Council Members and Board Members, have made numerous trips to the Tohoku region since the disasters.

The U.S.-Japan Council continues to support recovery and revitalization through TOMODACHI, our major initiative launched with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo with the support of the Government of Japan, corporations, organizations and individuals from the United States and Japan. In 2012, close to a thousand young people participated in TOMODACHI programs, contributing to our mission of investing in the next generation of Japanese and Americans. We are fortunate that several of our successful programs from 2012 will be repeated in 2013 and beyond.  We are seeing great strides being made in creating a true “TOMODACHI Generation” of young people who care about each other’s countries and cultures.

We have also been committed to supporting the growing non-profit sector in Japan. Many of the organizations we funded through our initial USJC Earthquake Relief Fund have stayed engaged with the Council by attending our events and networking with their American counterparts. By providing platforms for the exchange of information and by building a strong network of non-profit professionals from both countries, we hope to continue bolstering support for civil society in Japan.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our initiatives to support the Tohoku region as well as those who have engaged in activities with our partners and friends across the country.  The outpouring of support from Americans, and especially the Japanese American community, has not ceased and continues to serve as a source of great inspiration across the Pacific.

Tohoku Insights 2013 online

The Tohoku Insights 2013 public forum (http://www.tohokuinsights.com) was staged Saturday, March 9, 2013, in recognition of the two year anniversary of the disasters of 3/11.

This public forum featured 6 people who’ve been affected by the disasters and who are involved in the recovery efforts.

The event was live webcast, and can be viewed online at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jamsj

Give2Asia hosts NGOs working in the Tohoku region

I was honored to be invited to a special luncheon today hosted by Give2Asia http://www.give2asia.org in San Francisco. 4 NGOs from the Tohoku area were invited to share their experiences in the rebuild and relief effort in the areas affected by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant failure.

It was heartwarming to hear their stories and their challenges. Yet their commitment showed the strength and resiliency of the Japanese people.

Still one of the messages rang clear: many felt uncertainty in regards to their future and that part of their (NGOs) mission is to give hope to the people who had lost loved ones, their homes, jobs, and any sense of normalcy. There are still over 300,000 people living in temporary housing. The population in some of the towns have decreased to 70% as people, especially the young, moved out to find jobs in Tokyo and other areas. The once vibrant fishing industry in Ishinomaki is now non-existant. Acres and acres of farmland are ruined as agriculture in certain areas has been abandoned.

Many outsiders fear traveling to the region due to the radiation contamination from the Fukushima power plants. The long term economic impact is yet to be realized.

It is my hope that on my trip to the Tohoku area, I can bring a sense of support and hope to the people. As one of the executives from the Give2Asia said, “working in the nonprofit sector to help the rebuild and relief effort, you have to be an optimist”. Bringing a sense of hope to the people, that by working together, there will be a better tomorrow.

Today was such an emotional, moving experience. Thank you Gillian Ira Yeoh and Give2Asia. I look forward to meeting some of the NGOs in Japan next week.

One Year and Six Months. A trip to Tohoku

It’s been one year and six months since the tragic earthquake and tsunami that devastated regions of the Tohoku area, and six months since our “One Year After benefit concert took place in Fremont, California. We had the opportunity to connect with many dedicated people helping the displaced children through the Living Dreams organization. And now, next month I will have an opportunity to travel to the area to actually meet some of them in person.

It’s one thing to rally our community together to raise monies for the victims of a disaster. It is another thing completely to come face to face with their reality, as they struggle day to day to bring normalcy back into their lives. The people of Japan are resilient and hardworking and have made tremendous strides in rebuilding their lives and their cities. But the toll has been taken, as thousands of acres of farmland have been contaminated, lives lost, homes swept away, and families displaced. It will take years before the area once again thrives.

I am not sure what to expect as I make plans for my short trip to the area. I hope to bring a message of good will and support from the many in our community who worked hard to stage our fundraiser. And I hope to meet the people who through sheer perseverance have rebuilt their lives and their homes, keeping the light of hope shining for all to see.

We have a lot to learn from these people.

I will be updating my experiences along the way.

Steve Yamaguma

The Crisis in Fukushima Sixteen Months After 3-11, What Has Changed?

A Talk By Mr. Yasuteru Yamada
Wednesday, August 1 at 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Cowell Hall Rm. 106, University of San Francisco 2130 Fulton St., between Masonic & Parker

Mr. Yasuteru Yamada represents the Skilled Veterans Corps for Fukushima, an organization composed of retired engineers and other professionals who have volunteered to repair and maintain the reactors. Its members feel that, since their lifespans are limited, they can handle the health risks better than younger people, and spend more time on site. So far, the Japanese government is refusing their assistance.

For information about Mr. Yamada, contact: gabriellarandazzo@gmail.com or 707-888-0923

July 4, 2012, 1000 Cranes made it to Japan!

The 1000 Cranes created by the many volunteers for the “One Year After: Benefit Concert for the Children of Tohoku, Japan” on March 10, 2012, made its way over the Pacific Ocean and landed in Fukushima, Japan bringing our best wishes to the orphans in the Tohoku region. Please read this moving letter from Katherine Geeraert,  Home Communications Manager for Soma Children’s Home and founder of Friends of Soma.

P.S. This letter arrived on the Fourth of July!

http://www.musicatmsj.org/oneyearafter/letter.html

In Tokyo, Thousands Protest the Restarting of a Nuclear Power Plant

NYTimes
By MARTIN FACKLER
Published: June 29, 2012

TOKYO — Shouting antinuclear slogans and beating drums, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Japanese prime minister’s residence on Friday in the largest display yet of public anger at the government’s decision to restart a nuclear power plant. <article>

“Stress Test Meeting” Interrupted: Audience’s Protest and Poignant Words from A Fukushima Woman

Published on Jun 3, 2012 by tokyobrowntabby2
On January 18, 2012, Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) held a hearing to discuss with a committee of experts the results of the “stress test” for judging whether to restart Kansai Electric’s Ooi Nuclear Power Plant. The hearing was supposed to be open to public, but at the last minute NISA decided to hold the meeting in a separate room without the audience. The angry audience, who were locked out in a room with a TV monitor, eventually rushed into the meeting room and made a protest.

In the middle of the confusion, an unidentified woman from Fukushima came out of the audience. This video clip shows part of the protest from the audience and the woman’s poignant words.

Before this hearing, three of the committee members were found to have received donations from a nuclear-related company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. One of them is Dr. Koji Okamoto, Professor of the University of Tokyo and Moderator of this meeting, to whom the woman from Fukushima addressed her last question.

The original, longer version (http://youtu.be/jIRqDsHJ3OY) was created by OurPlanet-TV (http://www.ourplanet-tv.org/?q=node/287). OurPlanet-TV is an independent net-based media and welcomes donations.

関連情報 (related information, in Japanese only)：http://torajiyama.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-354.html

Translation and captioning by tokyobrowntabby.
Video editing by sievert311 (http://www.youtube.com/user/sievert311).

French version is at kna60′s channel: http://youtu.be/hfxLUS9js_0