Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead & missing - March 27+

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead & missing - March 27+

Bon dance festival held in Malaysia

A version of Japan's traditional Bon dance festival has been held near the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.....

Sunday, July 17, 2011 09:15 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/17_04.html

Tohoku summer festivals gather in Sendai

Six summer festivals of northeastern Japan have gathered in an event to encourage reconstruction from the March 11th disaster.....

Sunday, July 17, 2011 15:00 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/17_10.html
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Yomiuri online

Students' belongings go unclaimed

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi--Dozens of backpacks and other school supplies found in the debris after the March 11 tsunami sit inside a sports gym in Ishinomaki, but many parents of the dozens of children killed by the disaster apparently still cannot bring themselves to pick up the items.......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110716002648.htm
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Asahi com

Toyota to produce engines in Miyagi, Prius cars in Iwate

Toyota Motor Corp. is getting behind the post-earthquake recovery effort by building its first engine plant in the Tohoku region, sources said July 15. .....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107160336.html
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Disaster survivors trying to dress for summer heat face oversupply of winter wear

RIKUZENTAKATA, Iwate -- With the official end of the rainy season on July 11, survivors of the March 11 earthquake and disaster are now faced with a dearth of summer clothes, as much of the clothing donated after the disaster and now filling relief centers is winter wear....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na019000c.html

Tree that survived tsunami gets free care from experts hoping for Tohoku recovery

RIKUZENTAKATA, Iwate -- When the tsunami waters pulled back from the grounds of a local shrine here, the shrine itself was gone, as were the holy relics around it. The destruction, however, was not complete. A single Japanese cedar tree remained standing, and on July 4 and 5 gardeners and landscapers from across the country gathered to "breathe life back into it.".....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na021000c.html
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Jiji press

INTERVIEW: Kirin Chief Seeks Industry-Wide Cooperation after Quake

Tokyo, July 17 (Jiji Press)--Kirin Holdings Co. <2503> President Senji Miyake has called for cooperation among Japanese beverage makers in distribution and materials procurement following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011071700121

March Quake Caused Huge Tsunamis along 300-Kilometer Coastlines

Tokyo, July 17 (Jiji Press)--A group of Japanese researchers has reported that the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that hit northeastern Japan on March 11 triggered tsunamis of 20 meters or higher along the coastlines stretching some 300 kilometers in Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011071700070

Japan Set to Face Real Test for Power Saving

Tokyo, July 17 (Jiji Press)--Japan is set to face a crucial test in its power-saving efforts as electricity demand for air conditioning at households is seen to begin rising in line with the start of school summer holidays and more nuclear power reactors are to be suspended partly due to regular checkups.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011071700207
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Sankei news

Tohoku rokkon matsuri(Tohoku six prefectures festival)

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

38&#37; of disaster-zone firms cannot be contacted

A survey has found that nearly 40 percent of the businesses in the area hit by the March 11th earthquake and tsunami cannot be contacted.....

Monday, July 18, 2011 00:49 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/17_15.html

Japan preps July 24 digital TV shift

....Terrestrial analog broadcasts end that day except for in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures, which were hard hit by the March 11th disaster.....

Monday, July 18, 2011 12:32 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/18_15.html

Newspapers rush extras on World Cup win

.....A man in his 50s said he never thought Japan could beat the United States. He thanked the Japanese team, which he said encouraged the country as it struggles to overcome the March 11th disaster.

Monday, July 18, 2011 13:12 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/18_16.html

Kan congratulates Women's World Cup team

Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan has said the Women's World Cup title is a wonderful gift for the country's people, especially survivors of the March 11th disaster.....

Monday, July 18, 2011 23:24 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/18_19.html
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Yomiuri online

Job-hunt 'dress code' doesn't suit summer

College and university students hoping to make the best possible impression on prospective employers are risking their health by wearing full business attire to job interviews despite the scorching summer heat......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110717002168.htm

Tsunami reached record 40.4 meters in Miyako

The Omoeaneyoshi district of Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, was hit by a 40.4 meter tsunami--the largest on record--following the Great East Japan Earthquake, according to a national joint survey.......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110717002475.htm

Tokyo aims again for Olympics / Many, but not all, in disaster-hit areas back 'reconstruction Games'

Supporters of Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics are touting the Games as a chance to demonstrate Japan's recovery from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, but not everyone in disaster-hit areas is behind the idea......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110717002434.htm
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Japan, U.S. to set up 'Tomodachi Fund' to aid disaster-hit businesses

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan and the United States are looking to jointly set up a fund to help companies and individuals hit hard by March's natural disasters restart their businesses, several sources close to bilateral relations said Sunday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm003000c.html

Gov't to discuss electricity shortages in summer this week: Kaieda

WUHAN, China (Kyodo) -- Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda said Sunday he is considering holding a meeting of Cabinet members this week to discuss possible electricity shortages across the nation during the peak summer season......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm004000c.html

Taiko drumming group sets the beat for tsunami-hit city's summer festival

KAMAISHI, Iwate -- A local taiko drumming group gave their all here at a summer festival on July 17, performing to bring life and energy to this tsunami-devastated city.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na005000c.html
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Jiji press

Kan Congratulates Japan Team on World Cup Title

Tokyo, July 18 (Jiji Press)--Prime Minister Naoto Kan congratulated Japan's national soccer squad Monday on winning the championship of the FIFA Women's World Cup, calling the title one of the greatest gifts to people in areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011071800356
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Sankei news

solar cell Aquarium
sony building at Ginza, Tokyo


Lone pine tree and new seawall


shiogama port festival, Shiogama city, Miyagi pref

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Japan's cultural exchange event in Haiti

Japan has put on a show of its culture in Haiti, the first since the devastating earthquake there in January last year that left more than 200,000 people dead.....

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 12:16 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/19_11.html

Hinomaru on Empire State Building

.....Another woman congratulated Japan, saying she believes the victory has brought smiles and hope to Japanese still suffering from the impact of the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 16:13 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/19_20.html
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Yomiuri online

Department stores offer new services for 'after 4'

With a growing number of companies introducing summer hours to save electricity, department stores are offering a variety of new services aimed at working women whose office hours have been shifted earlier......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T110718003642.htm

Hot springs halt, change color, burst forth anew after quake

Extraordinary events occurred at hot spring sites across the nation in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, including springs spontaneously ceasing to flow, changing color and temperature, and even hot springwater suddenly gushing from the ground in a residential area......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110718003819.htm
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Asahi com

Electricity saving campaigns putting big hurt on many

In late June, a single 30-something Tokyo woman was terminated by her employer after having worked for the company for six years as a temp-staff worker.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107180303.html

Toyota to establish new school in Tohoku

Toyota Motor Corp. will set up a new in-house school in the disaster-hit Tohoku region that will train junior high school graduates in the basics of manufacturing before hiring them, sources said......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107180299.html

Quake memorial festival in Tohoku draws huge crowds

SENDAI--A two-day special event featuring six major summer festivals in the disaster-ravaged Tohoku region attracted about 366,000 visitors, overwhelming organizers who had expected a turnout of about 100,000.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107180296.html

NATION UPLIFTED: Victory over U.S. all the sweeter for Japan captain Sawa

.....It was a victory that was a welcome break for all of Japan, which has endured months of hardship after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that left more than 20,000 people dead or missing.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107180290.html
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Japan's triumphant women's World Cup team arrives home to heroes' welcome

.....One 35-year-old man originally from tsunami-devastated Miyagi Prefecture and wearing a t-shirt reading "Don't give up, Miyagi and Tohoku!" told the Mainichi, "When I called out to the players, they looked my way. I think they understood how much feeling and energy they've given us with their victory."

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na012000c.html

Blind tsunami victim haunted by smell of seawater

KAMAISHI, Iwate -- A blind man here who lived through the terror of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami holds psychological scars from the experience, saying that the smell of seawater brings to mind the terror of the tsunami....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na015000c.html
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Jiji press

Toyota to Build Hybrid Vehicle in Iwate

Sendai, Miyagi Pref., July 19 (Jiji Press)--Toyota Motor Corp. <7203> said Tuesday it will manufacture a small hybrid vehicle in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, as part of its support of areas affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011071900537

Japan Govt Considering Award to Women's Soccer Team

.....Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Tuesday.
"The victory is a remarkable accomplishment that the whole country, including disaster-hit areas, can celebrate," the top government spokesman told a press conference, adding that the team deserves some kind of award from the government......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011071900362

Insurance Payments on March Disaster Reach 1.81 T. Yen

Tokyo, July 19 (Jiji Press)--Life and nonlife insurers, and mutual aid organizations in Japan have paid a total of some 1.81 trillion yen of benefits related to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami as of early July, the Financial Services Agency said Tuesday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011071900372

Pumped-Storage Plants Key to Stable Power Supply in Japan

Nikko, Tochigi Pref., July 19 (Jiji Press)--Pumped-storage hydroelectricity is drawing increasing attention as a last resort to secure stable electricity supply in Japan faced with possible power shortages......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011071900511

Surplus from In-House Power Generation Attracts Attention in Japan

Tokyo, July 19 (Jiji Press)--Surplus capacity of electricity generators operated by companies is drawing attention as a possible source in Japan to offset power shortages threatened by the suspension of nuclear power plants.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011071900682

Parasols and Shirtsleeves Help Cut Sweat by 20 Pct

Tokyo, July 19 (Jiji Press)--Wearing no jacket and carrying a parasol can help pedestrians in Japan's urban areas reduce perspiration by some 20 pct during the country's scorching summer, an Environment Ministry estimate revealed Tuesday......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011071900827

IMF Urges BOJ to Take Further Easing Steps

Washington, July 19 (Jiji Press)--The International Monetary Fund urged the Bank of Japan on Tuesday to take further monetary easing steps to help the nation fight deflation and recover in the wake of the March 11 disaster.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072000019
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Sankei news

Volunteer divers searching



Ishinomaki city, Miyagi pref

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Techno-Frontier exhibit opens in Tokyo

....The event also features solar power generators with improved efficiency, and backup power supplies for blackouts. Both systems have drawn much attention since the March 11th disaster....

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 17:35 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20_31.html
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Yomiuri online

Win energizes disaster victims / Evacuees cheered by Nadeshiko's never-say-die spirit at World Cup

The never-say-die spirit that carried the Japanese women's soccer team to World Cup glory has cheered people throughout the country, including people still getting back on their feet after the Great East Japan Earthquake.......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110719005278.htm

Govt to ask KEPCO users to save power

The government has decided to ask companies and households in areas served by Kansai Electric Power Co. to save electricity, government sources said....

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110719005105.htm

70&#37; of homes get Red Cross appliances / Overseas donors pay for disaster aid

Four months after the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami, one-third of eligible disaster-victim households have yet to receive sets of home appliances to be provided through the Japanese Red Cross Society based on donations sent from fellow overseas organizations, it was learned Tuesday......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110719005794.htm
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Asahi com

Takashimaya trying to tap new interest in power saving

In a move to capitalize on a surging wave of interest in renewable energy sources and electricity savings among Japanese, Takashimaya Co., a major department store chain, is selling storage batteries equipped with a solar panel. .....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107190373.html

Spray-on solar cells to hit the market in 2013

Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. has developed a technology that paves the way for spray-on solar cells that can be applied like paint on buildings and car bodies.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107190372.html

Disasters take heavy toll on nursing home residents

At least 616 senior citizens who resided in long-term care facilities when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck died by the end of May, even though they all survived the actual quake and tsunami.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107190358.html

Shiogama boats carry portable shrines for quake region

SHIOGAMA, Miyagi Prefecture--Just over four months after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami devastated this Pacific port, 23,000 participants and spectators took part in the Shiogama Port Festival on July 18. ....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107190359.html

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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Insurance, mutual aid payments reach 1.8 tril. yen after quake

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Insurance and mutual aid money paid to the sufferers of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami reached some 1.8 trillion yen ($22.7 billion) in July and the figure is expected to increase further to about 2.7 trillion yen, the government said Tuesday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu059000c.html

Japan's economy faces uncertainty despite fast recovery: IMF

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The International Monetary Fund said Tuesday the Japanese economy still faces uncertainty with downside risks such as power supply disruptions, despite a faster-than-expected recovery from the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in March....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu061000c.html

Taiwanese university students in Japan to get disaster relief fund

TAIPEI (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government will expand an emergency relief payment program to cover undergraduate students from Taiwan studying in disaster-stricken northeastern Japan, after having earlier denied them such payments, Japan's de facto mission in Taiwan said Tuesday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm011000c.html

Gov't eyes buying former residential land after March tsunami: Kan

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Wednesday the government is willing to buy out land from which people affected by the March 11 tsunami are looking to relocate as a "major policy approach.".....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm037000c.html

Sendai to recycle at least half of debris left by quake, tsunami

SENDAI -- The Sendai Municipal Government on July 19 announced that it plans to recycle at least half of the 1.35 million tons of debris left in the city in the wake of the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na004000c.html

Great East Japan Earthquake estimated as most expensive natural disaster on record

Economic damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake in the first half of 2011 alone has been estimated at around 210 billion dollars by a German reinsurance company, the most economic damage from a natural disaster on the company's records and much more than Hurricane Katrina, the previous record holder.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na021000c.html
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Jiji press

Steel Industry Chief Positive about Power-Saving in Western Japan

Tokyo, July 20 (Jiji Press)--Japan's steel industry on Wednesday backed a possible central government request for customers in the service area of Kansai Electric Power Co. <9503> to reduce their power consumption.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072000570

Japan Paper Output Down for 4th Straight Month

Tokyo, July 20 (Jiji Press)--Japan's paper and paperboard output in June dropped 3.5 pct from a year before to 2.18 million tons, down for the fourth straight month, an industry group said Wednesday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072000586

Japan's Lower House Passes 2nd Extra Budget

Tokyo, July 20 (Jiji Press)--Japan's House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a second supplementary budget for fiscal 2011 to finance additional reconstruction measures after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072000610

BOJ Assessing Impact of Yen's Rise on Economy: Yamaguchi

Matsumoto, Nagano Pref., July 20 (Jiji Press)--The Bank of Japan is watching to see how the yen's rise will affect the nation's economy, BOJ Deputy Governor Hirohide Yamaguchi said Wednesday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072000740

Japan Mulls Large Renewable Energy Plants in Disaster Areas

Tokyo, July 20 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government plans to build the nation's largest solar and wind power plants in northeastern areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, it was learned Wednesday....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072000866

Japan Mulls 10-T.-Yen Tax Increase to Fund Reconstruction

Tokyo, July 20 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government is considering implementing a temporary tax increase worth about 10 trillion yen to finance reconstruction efforts following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072000973

Govt Decides to Ask for 10 Pct Power Cut in Western Japan

Tokyo, July 20 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government on Wednesday decided to ask customers of power utilities in western and southwestern Japan to voluntarily conserve electricity consumption in the summer....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072001001
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Sankei news

SDF withdraw from Rikuzentakata city, Iwate pref


mr Niina, he lives in Kagawa pref
over 5000 pictures have been restored to its original condition by his skill

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Outline of reconstruction plan compiled

The Japanese government has drawn up the outline of its reconstruction plan for areas devastated by the March 11th disaster.....

Thursday, July 21, 2011 07:31 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/21_08.html

June trade balance returns to surplus

Japan's trade balance in June posted a surplus for the first time in 3 months.....

Thursday, July 21, 2011 13:03 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/21_21.html

Govt to fund intensive reconstruction for 5 years

The Japanese government will spend about 240 billion dollars to reconstruct areas devastated by the March 11th disaster over the next 5 years, as part of a 10 year project....

Thursday, July 21, 2011 18:53 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/21_26.html
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Yomiuri online

Some housing units more equal than others

OTSUCHICHO, Iwate--As a 40-year-old woman looked around the temporary housing unit that would be her new home in Otsuchicho, she felt she had struck it lucky.....

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110720004801.htm

Fukushima, Miyagi schools mark end of 1st term

Public primary and middle schools across disaster-hit Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures held ceremonies Wednesday to mark the end of the first term of the current academic year......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110720005336.htm
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Asahi com

BIZ BRIEF: Mitsui donates 6 reefer containers to disaster areas

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. announced on July 20 the donation of six 20-foot reefer containers to the Soma-Futaba Fisheries Cooperative Association as part of its support activities for the disaster-stricken areas......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107200294.html

Nikkei up most in 3 weeks, led by techs rallying on Apple

Tokyo stocks marked their biggest daily rise in three weeks to close above 10,000 on July 21, boosted by a rally in tech shares after strong earnings from Apple , with more gains eyed as Japan readies for its second earnings reporting season since the March 11 earthquake.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107200301.html

LED sales burn brighter than those of incandescent bulbs

Sales of power-saving light-emitting diode bulbs topped those of incandescent light bulbs in June for the first time, according to a survey by GfK Marketing Services Japan Ltd. of 4,000 major home appliance retailers nationwide....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107200297.html

Toyota picks Tohoku to hedge quake risks

Toyota Motor Corp. is bolstering operations in the disaster-ravaged Tohoku region to disperse risks from the long-predicted Tokai earthquake and reduce production costs.......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107200295.html

Officials seek to make evacuation centers the real thing

Whereas most schools in Japan are designated as "evacuation centers" in times of disaster, in reality, most are safe havens in name only and are poorly equipped and not designed for this function......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107200284.html
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Japan's crude steel output down for 4th straight month in June

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's crude steel production in June declined 5.0 percent from a year earlier to 8.88 million tons for the 4th straight monthly fall due to a cut in output by automakers in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, an industry body said Wednesday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu080000c.html

Japan logs 1st trade surplus in 3 months in June

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's economy has shown additional signs of recovery from the March earthquake and tsunami, marking the first trade surplus in three months in June, as it addressed the supply-chain disruptions that had significantly slowed production and exports, government data showed Thursday.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu086000c.html

10 tril. yen eyed for post-quake reconstruction tax hike

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The government is making arrangements for a roughly 10 trillion yen tax increase to fund post-earthquake and tsunami relief efforts, with an eye to raising income and corporate taxes, government sources said Wednesday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm006000c.html

Composer Sakamoto, music group set up instrument fund for disaster-hit schools

The Zenkoku Gakki Kyokai (All-Japan Musical Instrument Association) has teamed up with composer Ryuichi Sakamoto to set up a fund to get music-loving students at disaster-devastated schools in Japan's northeast playing again.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na004000c.html

Moving to 'higher ground' not necessary under post-disaster reconstruction outline

The government came up with the outline of a basic post-disaster reconstruction plan on July 20, stressing the need for measures to help residents escape from tsunami-triggered disasters to "minimize damage," but it stopped short of making it mandatory for local communities to move to higher ground......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na010000c.html

Japan, ASEAN to enhance disaster management cooperation

NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Kyodo) -- The foreign ministers of Japan and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed Thursday to enhance cooperation in disaster management, drawing upon their respective experiences of major earthquakes and tsunami, a Japanese official said......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm057000c.html


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Jiji press

Japan June Trade Surplus Down 89 Pct at 70.7 B. Yen

Tokyo, July 21 (Jiji Press)--Japan logged 70.7 billion yen of customs-cleared trade surplus in June, down 89.5 pct from a year before, the Ministry of Finance said Thursday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072100136

Disaster-Hit Japan Students to Join U.K. Science Workshop

Narita, Chiba Pref., July 21 (Jiji Press)--A group of Japanese high school students, including those from areas hit hard by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, left for Britain on Thursday to participate in a science workshop at the University of Cambridge.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072100643

Japan, ASEAN Agree to Cooperate on Disaster Prevention

Nusa Dua, Indonesia, July 21 (Jiji Press)--Japanese and Southeast Asian foreign ministers agreed Thursday on the need to enhance cooperation on disaster prevention.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072100852

New Rolling Blackout Plan Adds Some Disaster-Hit Tohoku Areas

Sendai, Miyagi Pref., July 21 (Jiji Press)--Tohoku Electric Power Co. <9506> said Thursday that its possible prescheduled blackouts will cover noncoastal areas in Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures hit by the March disaster....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072100895

Japan Govt Eyes 23-T.-Yen Spending for Reconstruction

Tokyo, July 21 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government plans to spend at least 23 trillion yen for postdisaster reconstruction over the next 10 years, it was learned Thursday....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072200010
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3/11 tsunami video

<iframe width="250" height="172" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pmOhudSgwbI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="250" height="172" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dWehvoKyYYg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="250" height="172" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/opn7p9SQxX8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="250" height="172" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5ofAcL3O66k?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="250" height="172" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DHUz73pItAs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="250" height="172" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mInp7SoJQRk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Police white paper focuses on disaster-hit areas

Japanese police say they are taking measures to ensure safety and security in areas affected by the March 11th earthquake and tsunami......

Friday, July 22, 2011 12:14 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/22_19.html

Government releases paper on economy and finance

A Japanese government report says it's essential to make the country's economy more resilient to crises.
The statement is based on a realization that the damage inflicted on industrial facilities by the March 11 disaster had a serious economic impact......

Friday, July 22, 2011 14:39 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/22_25.html
______________________________________________
Asahi com

DoCoMo eyes cellphone location data for disaster aid

NTT DoCoMo Inc. is working on a way to use cellphone location data to assist people in times of disaster. The system would be of use to local governments in their emergency plans......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107210364.html

A pro diver who survived tsunami passes on his lessons

A professional diver who survived the horrendous tsunami after drifting for 7 kilometers on top of a floorboard from his office along with his wife shared his sketches and his experiences with college students in Tokyo, in what he hopes could save their lives someday......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107210353.html

Renowned conductor to visit disaster zone

The internationally acclaimed conductor Yutaka Sado will perform and give classes to young musicians in districts devastated by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107210352.html
______________________________________________
Mainichi jp (Kyodo, AP)

Japan, ASEAN to enhance disaster management cooperation

NUSA DUA (Kyodo) -- The foreign ministers of Japan and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed Thursday to enhance cooperation in disaster management, drawing upon their respective experiences of major earthquakes and tsunami, a Japanese official said....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm018000c.html

Record percentage of Yokosuka citizens support U.S. base after quake

YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) -- A record percentage of residents of the city of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, which hosts a U.S. Navy base, support its existence following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan, city officials said Thursday, citing a survey.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm021000c.html

Police agency's 2011 paper features cybercrimes, disaster

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The National Police Agency featured new, yet-to-be-regulated cybercrimes such as phishing and police activities in areas hit by the March earthquake and tsunami in its annual white paper released Friday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm022000c.html

Reconstruction of quake-hit areas could cost gov't 23 tril. yen

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government will need to spend at least 23 trillion yen ($291 billion) on reconstruction projects over the next decade following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and is planning to expend around 80 percent of the funds during the first half of the period, officials said Thursday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm023000c.html

Tatami association pushes traditional flooring's energy-saving merits

Amidst scorching summer temperatures and a nation wide push for energy-saving, a tatami association is promoting the traditional flooring as one way to keep cool this summer.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na019000c.html



___________________________________________
Jiji press

Only Half of Businesses Back in Tsunami-Hit Japan Areas

Tokyo, July 22 (Jiji Press)--Only about half of companies in northeastern Japan areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami have resumed operations so far, a private-sector survey revealed Friday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072200760

Kansai Electric Revises Up Supply Projection

Osaka, July 22 (Jiji Press)--Kansai Electric Power Co. <9503> on Friday revised up its projection for power supply capacity as of the end of July to 30.14 million kilowatts from 29.57 million kilowatts......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072300001

Innovation Key for Japan Economic Growth: Govt Paper

Tokyo, July 22 (Jiji Press)--Innovation is a key for Japan's medium- to long-term economic growth, the government said in an annual while paper on Friday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072200275

Japan's 2nd Extra Budget Seen to Clear Diet on Mon.

Tokyo, July 22 (Jiji Press)--The House of Councillors on Friday decided to take a vote on the Japanese government's fiscal 2011 second supplementary budget for postdisaster reconstruction at a plenary meeting on Monday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072200404

Anpanman Museum Opens in Disaster-Hit Sendai

Sendai, Miyagi Pref., July 22 (Jiji Press)--A museum featuring Anpanman, a Japanese cartoon hero for children, opened in this disaster-hit northeastern Japan city on Friday, three months later than the originally scheduled April 22..........

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072200422

Japan to Miss Temporary Housing Deadline: Kan

Tokyo, July 22 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Friday his government is unable to keep its promise to finish building temporary houses by mid-August for all evacuees from areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.........

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072200530

Singapore to Donate Care Facility for Japan Disaster Victims

Tokyo, July 22(Jiji Press)--Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said Friday that Singapore will donate a temporary care facility for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami........

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072200558

Keidanren to Map Out Japan Growth Strategies in Autumn

Karuizawa, Nagano Pref., July 22 (Jiji Press)--The Japan Business Federation, better known as Keidanren, will map out its own version of economic growth strategies for Japan in autumn, Chairman Hiromasa Yonekura said Friday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072200801

Individuals' Overseas Trips to Rebound from Summer: JTB

Tokyo, July 22 (Jiji Press)--The number of individuals traveling overseas is expected to pick up to levels of a year earlier beginning in the summer vacation period, JTB Corp. said in a report Friday........

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072200861
_________________________________________
Sankei news

blackboard of school at disaster area
"Don't give up" "revive!"


golfer Chie Arimura does volunteer work at Ishinomaki city, Miyagi pref


Anpanman museum opens

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Kansai leaders push Japan tours to Chinese

Political and business leaders from western Japan are visiting China in an effort to lure Chinese tourists.....

Saturday, July 23, 2011 09:25 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/23_12.html only Chinese? plz all tourist

Strong earthquake hits Iwate

A strong earthquake hit Iwate Prefecture on Saturday afternoon......

Saturday, July 23, 2011 13:52 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/23_23.html
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=171031
________________________________________
Yomiuri online

IN THE NEWS / Singing the song of the sand

SENDAI--On June 14, three months after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Junichi Sato visited Oshima island in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, with members of the Sendai Opera Association, which Sato serves as artistic director....

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110722004922.htm

'Dream lights' for departed illuminate path toward recovery

MORIOKA--Residents from a community in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, are making handmade lanterns from milk packages in preparation for an event to comfort the souls of victims of the March 11 disaster......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110722004845.htm
_____________________________________________
Asahi com

Keidanren head threatens to dump DPJ over rebuilding efforts

The head of Japan's largest business association criticized the government's handling of rebuilding efforts following the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake on July 21.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107220339.html

Online photo gallery remembers Tohoku before March 11

At first glance, a new photo-sharing website looks like so many others dedicated to the unique sights of Japan: local summer festivals filled with smiles and fun; fishermen praying for a bountiful catch; the colors of a Tanabata star festival....

Tohoku Memorial Gallery: (http://www.tohoku-pics.net/)
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107220330.html

Panel: Let youth do reconstruction work

A panel commissioned by The Asahi Shimbun is proposing that the central government initiate a program to have teenagers and young adults engage in reconstruction work in the earthquake disaster areas of northeastern Japan......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107220319.html
______________________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Cigarette sales volume drops 19&#37; in April-June in wake of disaster

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Sales volume of cigarettes in Japan during the April to June period plunged 19.1 percent from a year earlier to 45.1 billion, partly because production bases and the distribution system were damaged by the March 11 earthquake-tsunami disaster, the Tobacco Institute of Japan said Friday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm003000c.html

At least 570 'related deaths' from quake suspected in 3 prefectures

SENDAI (Kyodo) -- The death toll from the devastating March earthquake and tsunami may rise by hundreds as about 570 possible "related deaths" have so far been reported in the hardest-hit Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures, a Kyodo News survey found Saturday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm035000c.html

17 arrested as police shine light on solar power investment scam

Police have arrested 17 people, who investigators suspect have netted at least 200 million yen through a fictitious solar power company investment scheme, law enforcers said.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na005000c.html

Kobe's 'Light of Hope' monument to share flame with tsunami-hit city in Iwate

KOBE -- A flame from the "1.17 the Light of Hope," a monument in Kobe commemorating the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, will be passed on a new monument in the tsunami-devastated city of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, it has been learned....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na007000c.html

Disaster victims struggle to care for elderly family members in temporary housing

RIKUZENTAKATA, Iwate -- Residents in temporary housing built after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami are struggling to care for elderly family members with dementia and other symptoms, highlighting the need for better support measures......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na009000c.html

Iwate town gets over 50 requests from evacuees to switch temporary housing units

OTSUCHI, Iwate -- The municipal government here has been hit with dozens of complaints about temporary housing units for evacuees, logging over 50 requests from people wanting to move to other housing units.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na013000c.html
________________________________________
Jiji press

Japan to Fully Shift to Digital TV Broadcasts Sun.

Tokyo, July 23 (Jiji Press)--Japan will complete its shift to digital terrestrial television broadcasting on Sunday, except three northeastern prefectures hit hardest by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072300218
___________________________________________
Sankei news

Fuji kindergarten at Yamamoto town, Miyazaki pref
8 children and 1 staff died of Tsunami

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Japan's analog broadcasts end on Sunday

Terrestrial and satellite analog TV broadcasts ended on Sunday in Japan in the shift to full digital broadcasting. Three northeastern prefectures, which were hard hit by the March 11th disaster, are excluded......

Sunday, July 24, 2011 12:59 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/24_11.html
____________________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Terrestrial TVs completely digitalized in most areas in Japan

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese broadcasters completely digitalized their terrestrial TV broadcasting noon Sunday, ending the analog transmission that began more than a half century ago, except in areas hit hard by March's earthquake and tsunami......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm016000c.html
____________________________________________
Jiji press

Japan Completes Shift to Digital TV

Tokyo, July 24 (Jiji Press)--Japan completed its shift to terrestrial digital television Sunday, ending its 58-year-old analog broadcasting.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072400064

(Update) Japan Completes Shift to Digital TV

...The switch was completed at noon (3 a.m. GMT) across the country except the three northeastern Japan prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, where the shift was postponed to March 31 next year due to the devastation from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072400192

10 Pct Power-Saving Request to Take Effect in Osaka Area Monday

Osaka, July 24 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government's request for at least 10 pct of power saving will take effect in western Japan's Osaka area Monday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072400255

10 Pct Power-Saving Request to Take Effect in Osaka Area Monday

Osaka, July 24 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government's request for at least 10 pct of power saving will take effect in western Japan's Osaka area Monday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072400255

(Update) 10 Pct Power-Saving Request to Take Effect in Osaka Area Monday

The request will cover the service area of Kansai Electric Power Co. <9503>, the utility facing shortages of supply capacity due mainly to the unexpected shutdown earlier this month of a reactor at a nuclear power plant....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072500021
___________________________________________
Sankei news

Funado beach opens at Kuji city, Iwate pref


____________________________________________

recall the past

Massive earthquake hits northeast Japan

A massive earthquake struck northeastern Japan on Friday, generating massive tsunami along broad areas of the Pacific coast. 28 deaths have been reported.

Japan's Meteorological Agency says the quake struck at 2:46 PM Friday local time, off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture. The quake's estimated magnitude has been upgraded to 8.8 -- the strongest on record to hit Japan.

Major tsunami alerts for waves of up to 10 meters were issued from Hokkaido in the north, to Tokushima in the west.

In Miyagi Prefecture, the quake caused tremors with an intensity of 7 -- the maximum level on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7.

Strong tremors were also felt in many parts of the country, including Tokyo, where buildings shook for several minutes.

Three more quakes -- of magnitude 7.0 or higher -- struck in succession within 40 minutes of the initial temblor, all of them focused offshore in the Pacific near northeastern and central Japan.

At 3:50 PM, a tsunami surging higher than 7.3 meters struck Soma Port in Fukushima Prefecture, sweeping away houses. Police have ordered a mass evacuation.

A 4.2-meter tsunami hit Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture at 4:52 PM, while tsunami more than 4 meters high struck Kamaishi and Miyako in Iwate Prefecture at 3:21 PM.

It is difficult to grasp the extent of the damage caused by the series of quakes and tsunami. But deaths and injuries are reported in several prefectures.

In Miyagi Prefecture, one person has been confirmed dead, although there are unconfirmed reports of more fatalities.

The Miyagi authorities say about 20 people are stranded on a breakwater, while several others were washed away by the tsunami.

NHK cameras in quake-hit prefectures show tsunami swamping roads and sweeping away cars and houses.

At least 44 fires have been reported in 6 prefectures.
In Chiba Prefecture, a Cosmo Oil refinery caught fire following a gas leak caused by the earthquake.

Shinkansen bullet trains remain out of operation across most of the country. Although there are no reports of railway accidents, trains are halted in most Pacific coastal areas, including Tokyo.

Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture has shut down as its control tower has been evacuated. All expressways are closed to traffic in Miyagi Prefecture.

The earthquake has also caused power blackouts in wide areas, affecting millions of households.

Friday, March 11, 2011 18:16 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/11_43.html

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Japan shifts to digital broadcasting

Terrestrial and satellite analog TV broadcasts ended on Sunday in Japan as the country shifted to full digital broadcasting, excluding 3 prefectures.....

Monday, July 25, 2011 06:32 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/25_02.html

M.6.2 Quake hits Miyagi and Fukushima

An aftershock from the March 11th earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.2 hit Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures in northeastern Japan at 3:51 AM local time on Monday......

Monday, July 25, 2011 06:32 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/25_09.html

Second supplementary budget enacted

Japan's Diet has approved and enacted the second supplementary budget for fiscal 2011 to fund recovery efforts from the March 11th quake and tsunami.....

Monday, July 25, 2011 17:07 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/25_29.html

June auto production down 15.2&#37; from a year ago

Japan's domestic automobile production in June fell 15.2 percent from a year earlier. But the rate of decline slowed significantly compared to the months after the March earthquake and tsunami......

Monday, July 25, 2011 18:40 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/25_33.html
________________________________
Yomiuri online

Were there precursors of March 11 quake?

Could we have predicted the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake was about to strike by observing natural phenomena?.....

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110724002351.htm

Foreign volunteers restore people's memories

YAMADAMACHI, Iwate--Precious mementos are being saved from oblivion by a group of international volunteers working to restore photos damaged by the March 11 tsunami.......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110724002521.htm

Clown brings cheer to Tohoku region

YAMADAMACHI, Iwate--Wearing a colorful costume and a hat decorated with hearts, a red-nosed clown performed magic and made balloon toys for kids at a day care center in Yamadamachi, Iwate prefecture......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110724002513.htm
_____________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Gov't eyes implementing 10 tril. yen reconstruction tax hike over 5 yrs

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The government is considering implementing a planned 10 trillion yen tax increase to fund reconstruction following the March earthquake and tsunami over a period of five years from fiscal 2012 starting next April, government sources said Sunday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu028000c.html

BOJ's Shirakawa watchful on stronger yen

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa warned Monday that the yen's strength against the U.S. dollar and other major currencies would further slow the country's economy, which has already been struggling under the impact of the March earthquake and tsunami.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu029000c.html

Japan automakers output on the mend after disaster

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's automakers reported mixed vehicle production figures Monday as the industry works toward recovery from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...dm046000c.html

Canon 1st half net profit falls, but full-year projection raised

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Canon Inc. on Monday reported a 12.2 percent decline in net profit for the six months to June, yet raised its forecast for the year to December on an accelerated recovery from the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu050000c.html

Yen's strength 'one-sided,' warns Japan finance minister

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Finance Minister Yoshiko Noda reiterated his warning Monday against the recent spike of the yen in the currency market, saying the development is "one-sided," although he softened his rhetoric from Sunday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu053000c.html

Japan enacts 2nd extra budget for quake recovery

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's parliament on Monday enacted a second extra budget for fiscal 2011 to fund reconstruction efforts following the March earthquake, with Prime Minister Naoto Kan's resignation looming......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm020000c.html

Policy experts leaving Kan government's National Policy Unit

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Policymakers who temporarily left private-sector firms to join the government's National Policy Unit are moving to leave the unit in a sign of dwindling support for Prime Minister Naoto Kan's administration, government officials said Sunday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm022000c.html

First beach opens for summer in disaster-hit Iwate Prefecture

KUJI, Iwate -- A beach here was opened for the summer season on July 24, becoming the first among the disaster-hit prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima to do so since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na011000c.html

More young people joining volunteer fire fighting groups in quake-struck areas

An increasing number of young people have been joining volunteer fire fighting organizations in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, unlike other regions that are having a hard time securing enough volunteer firefighters......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na013000c.html

Japanese TV broadcasters switch to digital; about 100,000 households caught out

Japanese broadcasters completed the switch from analog transmission to terrestrial digital TV broadcasting across the country at noon on July 24, prompting tens of thousands of people to call for advice as about 100,000 households were apparently not prepared for the technological shift........

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na014000c.html
__________________________________________
Jiji press

Japan Staffing Agency to Help Disaster-Hit City Find Workers

Tokyo, July 25 (Jiji Press)--Major Japanese staffing agency Intelligence Ltd. said Monday it will undertake some staff recruitment operations of the Ishinomaki municipal government and hire disaster-hit workers for reconstruction projects in the northeastern Japan city in Miyagi Prefecture.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072500681

Canon Raises Outlook on Supply Chain Recovery

Tokyo, July 25 (Jiji Press)--Canon Inc. <7751> said Monday it has revised up its sales and operating profit forecasts for this year, due to an earlier-than-expected recovery in supply chains disrupted by the March 11 disaster.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072500715

Japan Govt Plans to Give "Nadeshiko" People's Honor Award

Tokyo, July 25 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government is planning to present the People's Honor Award to the "Nadeshiko Japan" national soccer team for winning the FIFA Women's World Cup trophy for the first time ever, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Monday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072500469

Santa Claus Comes to Japan to Cheer Up Disaster-Hit Children

Narita, Chiba Pref., July 25 (Jiji Press)--Santa Claus arrived in Japan on Monday to give presents to children in areas hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072500499

DBJ to Set up Reconstruction Funds with 3 Regional Banks

Tokyo, July 25 (Jiji Press)--The state-backed Development Bank of Japan will establish reconstruction funds worth a total of 15 billion yen with regional banks from three northeastern Japan prefectures to support businesses hit by the March disaster that ravaged the region.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072500550

Japan's FY 2011 2nd Extra Budget Enacted

Tokyo, July 25 (Jiji Press)--Japan's parliament enacted on Monday afternoon the second supplementary budget for fiscal 2011 to cover additional reconstruction and other costs arising out of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent nuclear crisis in northeastern Japan.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072500551

(Update) Japan's FY 2011 2nd Extra Budget Enacted

Tokyo, July 25 (Jiji Press)--Japan's parliament enacted on Monday afternoon the second supplementary budget for fiscal 2011 to cover additional reconstruction and other costs arising out of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent nuclear crisis in northeastern Japan......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072500812

Softbank's Son Launches Foundation for Disaster-Hit Children

Tokyo, July 25 (Jiji Press)--Softbank Corp. <9984> President Masayoshi Son said Monday he has established a foundation aimed at supporting children in areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072500818
__________________________________
Sankei news

temporary prefectural hospital opens at Rikuzentakata city, Iwate pref


Santa Claus Comes

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market reopens to tourists

Tourists viewed the famous tuna auction at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market for the first time since the March 11th disaster....

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 11:49 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/26_14.html

Dollar falls below 78 yen in Tokyo

The dollar has fallen to a four-month low against the yen in Tokyo on Tuesday morning after intensified selling.....

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 11:49 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/26_15.html

SDF personnel wrap up relief activities in Iwate

Self-Defense Force units operating in the northeastern prefecture of Iwate following the March 11th disaster have wrapped up their relief activities there.....

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 17:49 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/26_26.html

Santa visits children at shelter in Japan

Santa Claus has made an unseasonable visit to Japan to encourage children affected by the March 11th disaster.....

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 18:16 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/26_28.html

Crown Prince and Princess visit Fukushima

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako have visited Fukushima, one of the prefectures hardest hit by the March 11th disaster, and home to the damaged nuclear power plant......

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 18:58 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/26_30.html

Govt to increase taxes to fund reconstruction

Japan's government intends to increase taxes for a temporary period to create funds of about 10 trillion yen, or about 130 billion dollars, to rebuild areas devastated by the March 11th disaster.......

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 20:48 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/26_35.html
_____________________________________________
Yomiuri online

Helping isolated island community reconnect, rebuild

KESENNUMA, Miyagi--A Tokyo-based nonprofit organization has been providing extraordinary support to residents of an island that was left isolated after the March 11 disaster destroyed its transport connection to the mainland......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110725003733.htm

Students offer bright notes on handmade instruments

NIIGATA--University students in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, hope a concert with handcrafted musical instruments will will lift the spirits of people in areas hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake.......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110725003240.htm

Govt to examine using debris as biomass fuel

The second supplementary budget for fiscal 2011 contains funds for the Forestry Agency to research using the massive amount of wooden debris generated by the March 11 disaster as fuel for biomass power generation, it has been learned.......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110725004145.htm
____________________________________________
Asahi com

Damaged Kirin Sendai brewery aims for September restart

Kirin Brewery Co. announced on July 14 that its tsunami-hit Sendai plant will resume production on Sept. 26.......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107250357.html
______________________________________
Mainichi jp(kyodo, AP)

Miyagi residents thank U.S. forces for relief efforts

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Residents of Miyagi Prefecture presented the commander of the U.S. forces in Japan on Monday with five fisherman's flags bearing messages from around 500 people and six happi coats to express their thanks for the support given by U.S. forces following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm001000c.html


________________________________________
Jiji press

Chubu Electric's Power Supply Capacity Rises Slightly

Nagoya, July 26 (Jiji Press)--Chubu Electric Power Co. <9502> said Tuesday it has revised up its supply capacity for the summer as it will restart a thermal power generation facility earlier than previously planned.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072600824

Use Wooden Wreckage Eyed for Postdisaster Reconstruction

Tokyo, July 26 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government adopted at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday a new basic forest and forestry development plan calling for the use of woody biomass including wreckage as energy resources for areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami to strive toward reconstruction.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072600236

Modest Minimum Hourly Wage Hike Proposed in Japan

.....The proposed hike is more modest than a series of sharp raises seen in recent years in consideration of an impact on employers struggling with fallout from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072600470

Agric., Fishery Co-ops in Disaster Areas Need 380 B. Yen in Capital

Tokyo, July 26 (Jiji Press)--Capital injections into agricultural and fisheries cooperatives in northeastern Japan areas devastated by the March 11 disaster are estimated to total some 380 billion yen, a senior government official said Tuesday....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072600967

Japan Govt Eyes 10.5 T. Yen of Reconstruction Bonds

Tokyo, July 26 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government seeks to raise 10.5 trillion yen with special bonds to finance reconstruction projects in areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, sources said Tuesday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072600996
____________________________________________
Sankei news

Tsukiji fish market reopens


Tree of Hope at Kadowaki school, Ishinomaki city

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Stronger yen lures Japanese holidaymakers abroad

....The agency says reservations for overseas trips fell in the immediate aftermath of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami, but demand has since recovered to the same level as last year......

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 03:09 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/27_02.html

Concert held at World Heritage site for victims

A memorial concert for victims of the March 11th disaster was held on Tuesday at a new World Heritage site in northeastern Japan......

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 03:10 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/27_03.html

Japanese survivors invited to Taiwan

The first group of survivors of the March 11th disaster has arrived in Taiwan for free holidays sponsored by the island's tourism industry......

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 03:14 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/27_04.html 謝謝

Japan, Russia agree to cooperate on energy

......The meeting was the first to be held since Russia announced a new energy policy. After the March 11th disaster in eastern Japan, the Russian government said it would increase supplies of oil and natural gas to Japan.....

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 08:27 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/27_10.html

Maestro Ozawa performs at school in Japan

Conductor Seiji Ozawa has performed in Japan for the first time in about a year, offering prayers for those who died in the March 11th earthquake and tsunami......

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 18:19 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/27_32.html

Meteorological agency to revise tsunami alerts

Japan's Meteorological Agency says it will develop a new plan for issuing tsunami alerts in the aftermath of major earthquakes. The maximum possible alerts will be given, and then downscaled accordingly after the actual magnitude of the earthquake has been determined.....

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 19:17 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/27_33.html
________________________________________
Yomiuri online

Minimum wage increases to shrink / National average rise estimated at 6, yen down from 15 yen in fiscal 2010

A government advisory panel on Tuesday decided increases in hourly minimum wages this fiscal year should range from 1 yen to 18 yen depending on the prefecture.....

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T110726006066.htm

Croatia, Poland govts host disaster-hit kids

The Croatian government will invite several Sendai primary school students and their parents to visit Croatia for two weeks next month in a gesture of support for residents of the city hit hard by the March 11 disaster.....

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20110726dy01.htm Hvala & Dziekuje

Priest making 600-km disaster pilgrimage

RIKUZEN-TAKATA, Iwate--A Buddhist priest of the Nichiren sect has been making a 600-kilometer pilgrimage on foot to console the souls of those who died in the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110726005253.htm

Consumers burned by solar salesmen

Amid the power shortage following the Great East Japan Earthquake, there has been an upsurge in cases of households being forced to buy overly expensive solar power generation systems by high-pressure salesmanship.....

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110726004666.htm
___________________________________________
Asahi com

Nikkei firm, robust earnings offset strong yen
*REUTERS

The Nikkei stock average rose on July 26 as robust quarterly earnings and higher profit forecasts from the likes of digital camera and copier maker Canon Inc. helped offset a yen that has strengthened on U.S. debt woes.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107260397.html

Nissan, Mitsubishi lead recovery in auto output

Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. produced more cars in Japan in June than they did in the same month last year......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107260395.html

Architect transforms UCLA, sets sights on disaster-hit Sendai

The damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake is still visible in Hitoshi Abe's office in Sendai. A crack runs along a wall. The model of a building that fell from a shelf remains broken......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107260602.html

Lone real estate agent fighting to save devastated town

OTSUCHI, Iwate Prefecture--What kind of business will be the first to recover when a town is trying to rebuild from a devastating disaster? .....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107260382.html

Disaster victims thank U.S. Forces Japan for relief aid

Residents of Miyagi Prefecture thanked the head of U.S Forces Japan on July 25 for the United States' relief effort following the Great East Japan Earthquake.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107260379.html

Quake-affected vehicles stolen and smuggled overseas

In the days following the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, the absence of looters in the disaster-ravaged areas was viewed with amazement by the rest of the world.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107260373.html ......damaged car

Extra budget passed; 2 other bills up in the air

Though the second supplementary budget passed the Diet, the fate of the other bills that Prime Minister Naoto Kan listed as conditions for his resignation is unclear.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107260374.html
_______________________________________________
Mainichi Jp(Kyodo, AP)

Nissan quarterly profit drops 20 percent

TOKYO (AP) -- Nissan's quarterly profit dropped 20 percent as Japanese automakers took a battering from the quake and tsunami disaster that disrupted car production and destroyed dealerships.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu161000c.html

Filipinos in quake-hit Miyagi studying to be caretakers

KESENNUMA (Kyodo) -- Twelve Filipino women are studying together to pass an examination to work as caretakers in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, after they lost their jobs due to the March quake and tsunami.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm005000c.html

Tsukiji tuna auction reopened to tourists for 1st time since quake

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, commonly known as the Tsukiji fish market, reopened its popular frozen tuna auction to sightseers Tuesday after a four-month closure following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm008000c.html

Crown prince, princess visit disaster-hit Fukushima

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako on Tuesday visited temporary housing in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, where evacuees have lived since the Fukushima Daiichi power plant crisis began in mid-March.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm012000c.html

Gov't discusses 10 tril. yen tax hike for reconstruction

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The government discussed Tuesday a plan to raise taxes to secure 10.3 trillion yen ($132 billion) over five years from next April to finance reconstruction work following the March earthquake and tsunami......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm019000c.html

Santa Claus cheers up nuclear crisis evacuees in Saitama

KAZO, Saitama -- Santa Claus paid his respects to nuclear crisis evacuees here, to the delight of children from Fukushima Prefecture......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na013000c.html

Disaster refugee 'Tent Village' prepares to strike camp

YAMAMOTO, Miyagi -- A campsite for March 11 disaster evacuees on a former tennis court here will soon see its last tent packed up, leaving little trace of the warm bonds formed among the evacuees during their time there.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na018000c.html

Chugoku Electric restarts Misumi thermal plant's No. 1 unit

HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- Chugoku Electric Power Co. said Wednesday it has resumed operation at the trouble-hit Misumi thermal plant in Shimane Prefecture, paving the way for it to provide 720,000 kilowatts of electricity next month to Kansai Electric Power Co., which has been experiencing a stringent power supply situation.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm159000c.html
__________________________________________
Jiji press

Nissan Suffers 10 Pct Operating Profit Fall in April-June

Yokohama, July 27 (Jiji Press)--Nissan Motor Co. <7201> said Wednesday that its group operating profit in April-June fell 10.4 pct from a year before to 150,372 million yen due to the yen's sharp appreciation.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072700858

INTERVIEW: Sendai Seen Strong Candidate to Host Reconstruction Agency

Sendai, Miyagi Pref., July 27 (Jiji Press)--Sendai is a leading candidate city to host a planned government agency to take charge of reconstruction of areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Yoshinori Suematsu, senior vice minister at the Cabinet Office, has said......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072700289

Japan Enacts Law on Capital Infusion into Disaster-Hit Co-ops

Tokyo, July 27 (Jiji Press)--Japan's House of Councillors passed into law on Wednesday a bill to make it easier to inject capital into agricultural and fishery cooperatives in areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072700316

Japan to Suffer 10 Pct Power Shortages in Summer 2012: Govt

Tokyo, July 27 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government estimates that the country's power supply capacity will fall about 10 pct short of demand in summer 2012 if all nuclear reactors in the nation are halted, officials said Wednesday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072700455

Chugoku Electric Restarts Halted Thermal Power Plant

Hiroshima, July 27 (Jiji Press)--Chugoku Electric Power Co. <9504> said Wednesday it has restarted the Misumi coal-fired thermal power plant in western Japan, whose operations were halted due to steam leaks......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072700465

BOJ's Kamezaki Concerned about Impact of Power Shortages

Tsu, Mie Pref., July 27 (Jiji Press)--Bank of Japan Policy Board member Hidetoshi Kamezaki on Wednesday expressed concern about the impact of power supply shortages on the Japanese economy........

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072700473

SDF to Withdraw from Miyagi Pref. on Monday

Sendai, Miyagi Pref., July 27 (Jiji Press)--Miyagi Prefecture plans to ask the Self-Defense Forces to end relief activities in the disaster-hit northeastern Japan prefecture on Monday, prefectural government sources said Wednesday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072700576

JTB to Invite 100 Chinese Journalists, Others to Tohoku

Beijing, July 27 (Jiji Press)--Major Japanese travel agency JTB Corp. will invite some 100 Chinese media representatives and tourism industry officials to visit the Tohoku region of northern Japan in late August, company officials said Wednesday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072700757

Overseas Package Tour Demand Down 20 Pct after Quake

Tokyo, July 27 (Jiji Press)--The number of people who went abroad on package tours dropped 20.8 pct year on year in April and 23.3 pct in May, the Japan Association of Travel Agents said on Wednesday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072700868

Japan to Sell Public Housing to March Disaster Victims

Tokyo, July 27 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government plans to promote the sales of publicly owned housing to people whose homes were destroyed or heavily damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, it was learned Wednesday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072700921

Construction Investment in Japan Seen to Rise 7.3 Pct in FY 2011

Tokyo, July 27 (Jiji Press)--Construction investment in Japan in fiscal 2011 is estimated to increase 7.3 pct from the previous year to 44.12 trillion yen, a think tank of the land ministry said in a report Wednesday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072700996

Japan Eyes Fixed-Rate Tax Hikes to Finance Reconstruction

Tokyo, July 27 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government plans to raise funds for reconstruction projects in areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami partly through fixed-rate tax increases, it was learned Wednesday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072701087
_____________________________________________
Sankei news

Asuka2 arrives at Ofunato port, Iwate pref
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Asuka_II

candles event wish reconstruction

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Japan thanks Thailand for quake aid

Japan's Embassy in Thailand has launched a campaign to thank Thailand for supporting Japan in the aftermath of the March 11th quake and tsunami......

Thursday, July 28, 2011 05:25 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/28_06.html

Japan, Russia deputy foreign ministers meet

Senior diplomats from Japan and Russia say the 2 countries should work to improve ties after cooperating in response to the March 11th earthquake and tsunami in eastern Japan.......

Thursday, July 28, 2011 07:59 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/28_12.html

Solar power plants to start operation in Kawasaki

A solar power plant is to start operation in Kawasaki, near Tokyo, in mid-August.....

Thursday, July 28, 2011 11:48 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/28_20.html

Noda: Japan's economy is picking up

Finance minister Yoshihiko Noda says Japan's economy has begun picking up after the major downturn caused by the March disaster......

Thursday, July 28, 2011 15:53 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/28_32.html

Finance ministry upgrades economic outlook

Japan's Finance Ministry has upgraded its assessment of the state of the economy for the first time in 4 quarters, due to a recovery in supply chains since March 11th.....

Thursday, July 28, 2011 17:17 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/28_28.html

Asian Development Bank worries over US debt woes

....But the ADB report says that the current US debt woes, the financial uncertainty in Europe and a weak post-tsunami recovery in Japan may threaten Asia's economic outlook......

Thursday, July 28, 2011 18:02 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/28_30.html
_____________________________________
Yomiuri online

Housing support system disappoints quake victims

An increasing number of people whose houses were ravaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami are dissatisfied with the government disaster-victim aid program, which they think fails to reflect the degree of damage caused to their homes.......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110727006618.htm

Tsunami data facilities need urgent repair

In the event of another major earthquake, the government is currently unable to obtain sufficient data on tsunami for the quake-hit Tohoku region because 11 of the 20 facilities and devices on and off the Pacific coast, from Aomori to Fukushima prefectures, are not in service, it has been learned......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110727005888.htm

Minimum wage debate rages all night long / Labor, employers argue over how small 2011 rises should be due to impact of March 11 disaster

The March 11 disaster has cast a shadow over the nation's labor situation, forcing a government advisory panel to seek a fiscal 2011 national average minimum wage increase that is less than half last year's figure.....

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110727006359.htm
_________________________________________
Asahi com

Cold is hot in Japan's summer alcohol market

With Japan's air conditioners turned low this summer because of the electricity shortage following the March 11 quake, alcohol companies are inviting the nation's drinkers to think the unthinkable: lagers and wines served on the rocks and beers that are almost frozen......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107270445.html

Nippon Steel helps quake-hit 'home' back on its feet

KAMAISHI, Iwate Prefecture--Nippon Steel Corp. put reconstruction of this devastated coastal city, long synonymous with its name, ahead of its own after the Great East Japan Earthquake.......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107270443.html

Nikkei falls on US debt woes but earnings outlook supports
*REUTERS

The Nikkei stock average fell on July 27 as concerns mount over a deadlock in talks to raise the U.S. debt ceiling, but expectations of improved Japanese corporate earnings could help it stay near four-month highs.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107270441.html

Buddhist temples give free 'kaimyo' for disaster victims

A growing number of Buddhist temples in areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake are waiving fees for giving "kaimyo," or afterlife names, to those who died in the disaster.......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107270432.html

Tsukiji Market's tuna auction area reopened to visitors

In another sign that life in Japan is returning to normal, the Tsukiji Market in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on July 26 started allowing visitors back into its famed tuna auctions, after months of being kept out due to damaged buildings caused by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107270431.html

Student filmmaker contrasts school, post-disaster life

KOFU--A student is making a documentary that contrasts and connects her devastated hometown, Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, with university life here.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107270430.html

Taiwan starts tourism campaign for March 11 disaster survivors

TAIPEI--The first group of Japanese tourists arrived here on July 26 under a Taiwanese program intended to encourage survivors of the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107270420.html

Traditional light boxes bring hope to quake victims

MIYAKO, Iwate Prefecture--In the Taro district of Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, one of the hardest-hit areas by a devastating tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake, residents are making traditional Japanese "andon" light boxes, hoping the lights will brighten the future of their ravaged hometown.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107270429.html
_______________________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Inflation threatens East Asian growth

......The devastating tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan in March has also spurred a debate over the use of nuclear power, which could drive up energy prices by boosting demand for other energy sources such as oil and gas.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu042000c.html

Nippon Steel posts 24.5&#37; operating profit fall in April-June

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Nippon Steel Corp. said Wednesday its group operating profit in the April-June period fell 24.5 percent from a year before to 38.59 billion yen, hurt by higher costs of raw materials such as iron ore and coal.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu044000c.html

JFE Holdings' net profit sinks 74.5% in April-June qtr due to quake

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- JFE Holdings Inc. said Wednesday its group net profit for the April-June quarter dropped 74.5 percent from a year earlier to 7.12 billion yen due to the March earthquake-tsunami disaster and sharp rise in raw material prices.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu045000c.html

Japan logs 94 bil. yen trade surplus in early July

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan marked a 94.97 billion yen trade surplus in early July as the nation's industrial output continues to recover from sharp falls following the March earthquake and tsunami, government data showed Thursday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu050000c.html

Japan economy starts gathering momentum: Noda

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese economy has begun building upward momentum following a significant slowdown due to the March earthquake and tsunami, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda said Thursday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu051000c.html

Sony sinks to $199 mln quarterly loss on disaster

.....It said business operations hurt by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami were recovering quicker than initially expected, but it suffered net charges of 700 million yen ($8 million) in repairs, cleaning costs, damages to buildings and assets and other expenses.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu068000c.html

Ministry upgrades 8 of 11 regional economies

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Finance Ministry on Thursday revised upward its assessments for eight of 11 regional economies, including the disaster-hit Tohoku area, saying the Japanese economy has been showing "upward development" with production and private consumption recovering........

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu102000c.html

Panasonic reports quarterly loss on quake, tsunami

TOKYO (AP) -- Panasonic slumped to a 30.4 billion yen ($389 million) quarterly loss, hit by lower sales after the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu107000c.html

Backup power system will keep firms in Tokyo office tower working even during blackouts

The Mori Building, a 47-story commercial tower under construction in Tokyo's Roppongi area, will be equipped with a power-generating system that will allow tenant firms to keep working even during disasters and blackouts.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu108000c.html

Initial tsunami warnings to be issued based on worst-case scenarios

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japan Meteorological Agency has decided to issue initial tsunami warnings based on worst-case scenarios in the event of earthquakes of magnitude 8 or greater, agency sources said Wednesday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm012000c.html

12.8 tril. yen estimated for reconstruction of Miyagi

SENDAI (Kyodo) -- Miyagi Prefecture has estimated that the prefecture and its municipalities will need 12.83 trillion yen for reconstruction projects over the next decade following the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami, local government sources said Wednesday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm020000c.html

DPJ to urge gov't to annul tax hike plan for reconstruction

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Democratic Party of Japan is set to urge the government not to mention any tax hike plan in the policy guidelines to be drawn up this month for reconstruction in the wake of the March earthquake and tsunami, DPJ lawmakers said Thursday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm091000c.html

Lack of jobs pushing young people out of tsunami-hit areas

MORIOKA -- As coastal areas of northeastern Japan struggle to recover from the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, young people are gradually moving away in search of work.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na009000c.html

Tsunami-hit sake maker set to restart production using borrowed space

RIKUZENTAKATA, Iwate -- A local sake maker is planning a restart to production in August by working out of a borrowed facility after it lost its buildings to the March 11 tsunami.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na020000c.html



______________________________________________
Jiji press

Mizuho to Create Fund to Support Industries in Disaster Areas

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)--Mizuho Corporate Bank and Mizuho Bank said Thursday that they will set up a 6-billion-yen fund in August with the aim of supporting industries in areas in Japan's Tohoku northeastern region affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072800852

10 Japan Power Suppliers to Lift September Rates

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)--Japan's 10 major power suppliers said Thursday they will raise power rates for September due to higher prices of crude oil and liquefied natural gas used for thermal power generation.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072800867

3 of 4 Major Japan Steelmakers Log Recurring Profit Falls

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)--Three of four major Japanese steelmakers suffered year-on-year declines in consolidated recurring profit in April-June as demand for steel for automobiles slumped in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, according to their earnings reports released by Thursday......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072800892

Japan MOF Revises Up Regional Economic View

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Ministry of Finance on Thursday revised up its regional economic view for the first time in four quarters......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072800308

(Update) Japan MOF Revises Up Regional Economic View

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese Ministry of Finance upgraded its overall assessment of regional economies Thursday for the first time in four quarters. ...

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072800651

5 Japan Electronics Makers Log Net Losses on Disaster, Yen's Rise

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)--Five of six major Japanese electronics makers suffered group net losses in April-June because of the impacts of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and the yen's surge, according to their earnings reports released Thursday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072801062

Work Insurance Claims in Disaster Areas Far Off Estimate

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)--The number of applications for compensation under the workers' insurance system in the three northeastern Japan prefectures hit hardest by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami stands at less than half the labor ministry's estimate, ministry officials said Thursday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072800784
______________________________________
Sankei news

nostalgic free bus at Jodogahama
Miyako city, Iwate pref


High School athletic championship at Aomori city, Aomori pref

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Mongolian children lift spirits of survivors

Children from Mongolia have raised the spirits of survivors of the March 11th disaster in eastern Japan through artwork and traditional folk dance........

Friday, July 29, 2011 07:44 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/29_09.html

June unemployment rate rises to 4.6%

Japan's unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent in June, an increase of 0.1 percentage points from May.....

Friday, July 29, 2011 11:53 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/29_16.html

Messages from abroad for 3/11 disaster survivors

An exhibition featuring 1,000 messages sent from other countries to encourage March 11th disaster survivors is being held in Tokyo.......

Friday, July 29, 2011 16:03 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/29_22.html

Companies report April-June business results

Japanese firms have reported a decline in profits for the period from April to June, due to the March 11th disaster.....

Friday, July 29, 2011 18:06 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/29_28.html

Govt: Japan may face power shortage next summer

Japan's government estimates that the country will face a power supply shortage of around 10 percent next summer if all of its nuclear reactors go offline......

Friday, July 29, 2011 20:00 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/29_30.html

Govt adopts basic reconstruction plan

The Japanese government has adopted a basic plan to rebuild areas hit by the March 11th disaster. The final text notably lacks any reference to the major tax increase that appears unavoidable to finance the 5-year plan......

Friday, July 29, 2011 21:18 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/29_31.html

Kan proposes 3rd extra budget for rebuilding plan

Prime Minister Naoto Kan has pledged the government's continued effort to rebuild northeastern areas devastated by the March disaster.........

Friday, July 29, 2011 22:39 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/29_35.html
_______________________________________
Yomiuri online

Diehard rice thrives after tsunami

YAMADAMACHI, Iwate--A resident in Yamadamachi, Iwate Prefecture, is enthusiastic about growing rice seedlings that survived the tsunami caused by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and has sprouted among the debris.....

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110728005424.htm
_____________________________________________
Asahi com

Execs say yen's ascent threatens economy

Industry executives warned the yen's sharp appreciation is threatening domestic production and jobs, with some calling for the government to intervene in the foreign exchange markets......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107280351.html

Model of pre-disaster Kesennuma town bringing cheer to residents

KESENNUMA, Miyagi Prefecture--Residents and graduate students are creating a miniature model of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, as it appeared before it was largely wiped out by the March 11 tsunami......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107280331.html

Agency to issue tsunami warnings based on worst-case scenarios

Caught off guard by the enormous strength of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency will revise the way it issues tsunami warnings for quakes with magnitudes that could exceed 8........

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107280330.html

Reconstruction could force 10-percent income tax hike

The government is planning large tax increases to raise about 10 trillion yen ($129 billion) for post-quake reconstruction, according to the final draft of the basic policy for rebuilding from the Great East Japan Earthquake......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107280329.html
_________________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Sharp incurs 50 bil. yen net loss in April-June

OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Sharp Corp. said Thursday it recorded a group net loss of 49.28 billion yen in the April-June period from a profit of 10.69 billion yen a year earlier, as production of flat television panels dropped and sales of mobile telephone handsets shrank........

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu050000c.html

Toshiba's net profit edges up 1% in April-June qtr

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Toshiba Corp. said Thursday its group net profit for the April-June quarter edged up 0.9 percent from a year earlier to 470 million yen, as cost-cutting efforts offset a drop in sales due to the March earthquake-tsunami disaster and the strong yen......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu052000c.html

Average summer bonus at major firms rises for 2nd straight year

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The average summer bonus at Japan's leading companies increased 4.42 percent to 791,106 yen this year, rising for the second straight year, the Japan Business Federation said Thursday.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu053000c.html

Japan's June unemployment rate rises to 4.6%

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent in June from 4.5 percent in May, showing the fragility of the economy after the March massive earthquake and tsunami, the government said Friday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu058000c.html

Japan's core consumer prices up 0.4% in June on higher utility bills

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's key consumer prices rose 0.4 percent in June from a year earlier for the third consecutive month of increase, due mainly to energy price hikes, the government said Friday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu059000c.html

Japan's 1st qtr business investment revised down to 3.0% growth

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's business investment grew 3.0 percent in the three months through March from a year earlier, revised down from an earlier reported 3.3 percent rise amid the weakness in such sectors as foods and chemicals following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the government said Friday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu060000c.html

Japan's industrial output up for 3rd month amid quake recovery

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's industrial production climbed 3.9 percent in June from the previous month for the third straight month of increase, helped by firm output by automakers with a recovery of the supply chain that was disrupted after the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami, government data showed Friday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu061000c.html

Strong yen hits exporters hard but benefits consumers

The high value of the yen, which has been pushed higher over the past weeks as the European Union and the United States try to stave off full-blown financial disasters, is hitting Japan's exporters hard.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...na008000c.html

JET alumni to revisit Tohoku to help boost tourism

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- About 20 former English teachers and international relations coordinators at local government offices will revisit places in northeastern Japan, where they used to work, on a Japanese government program aimed at boosting tourism affected by the March 11 quake and tsunami, Japanese officials said Thursday......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm010000c.html

Gov't eyes selling shares in NTT, JT in reconstruction efforts

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The government is considering selling part of its shareholdings in Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., and Japan Tobacco Inc. to help finance reconstruction efforts in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, government sources said Thursday........

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm015000c.html

Fishing net craftsman lends a helping hand to fishermen without equipment

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi -- An Iwate Prefecture fishing-net maker, himself a victim of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, spent two months at an evacuation shelter here offering his skills to fishermen who have been unable to get back to work because their equipment was either destroyed or washed away in the March 11 tsunami.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na010000c.html
___________________________________________
Jiji press

Japanese Travel Agency Launches Specialist Volunteer Tour

Tokyo, July 29 (Jiji Press)--Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. <9726> on Friday launched a bus tour program aimed at sending specialists as volunteers to northeastern Japan areas hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami........

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011072900853

Japan June Jobless Rate Rises to 4.6 Pct

Tokyo, July 29 (Jiji Press)--Japan's seasonally adjusted jobless rate stood at 4.6 pct in June, up 0.1 percentage point from the previous month, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said Friday......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072900166

Upper House Adopts Opposition's Double-Loan Relief Bill

Tokyo, July 29 (Jiji Press)--The House of Councillors adopted an opposition-sponsored bill on relief measures for companies facing the so-called double loan problem at a plenary meeting Friday.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072900481

Japan Govt Adopts 700-B.-Yen Tax Hike Plan for Hepatitis Relief

Tokyo, July 29 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government, at a cabinet meeting Friday, adopted a plan to introduce one-off tax hikes to procure 700 billion yen of the 1.1 trillion yen needed to pay relief money to hepatitis B patients......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072900565

Japan Faces 9.2 Pct Power Shortfall in Summer 2012: Govt

Tokyo, July 29 (Jiji Press)--The government estimated Friday that Japan will suffer a power shortfall of some 9.2 pct in summer 2012 if all the nation's nuclear reactors are halted........

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072900669

TEPCO Cuts Power Demand Estimate

Tokyo, July 29 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo Electric Power Co. <9501> said Friday that it has cut its estimate on electricity demand in its service area for the week to Aug. 5 by 11.9 million kilowatts to 43.1 million kilowatts.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011072901204

Japan Govt Backs Down on Tax Hike for Reconstruction

Tokyo, July 29 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government backed down on possible tax increases in its basic policy for reconstruction after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami adopted on Friday........

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011073000020
_______________________________________________
Sankei news

liquefied natural gas tanker arrives Osaka

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

Yen surges to 77.01 at one time

....At one point, the dollar was trading at 77.01 yen. That's the lowest since March 17, when the dollar slid to a record low of 76.25 yen in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.....

Saturday, July 30, 2011 03:02 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/30_03.html

Yen surges to 76 level

....At one point, the dollar was trading at 76.90 yen. That's the lowest since March 17, when the dollar slid to a record low of 76.25 yen in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan......

Saturday, July 30, 2011 04:17 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/30_01.html
_________________________________________
Yomiuri online

Trading house going fishing / Expectations high for outside investment to rebuild fisheries

A major trading company is entering the fishing industry as governments in disaster-hit areas have high hopes that private funds can help rebuild the industry devastated by the March 11 disaster......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T110729005470.htm

Mitsui plans to help rebuild fishing business

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. plans to enter the fishing business in Miyagi Prefecture to help rebuild the industry, hit hard by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, it was learned Thursday......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T110729005063.htm

Manned submarine to troll seabed for M9 quake clues

A manned deep-sea submarine will conduct research focused on the seabed around the epicentral area of the Great East Japan Earthquake starting Saturday, it has been learned......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110729006489.htm
_________________________________________
Asahi com

Electronics makers see rising recovery in profits on the horizon

After posting largely dismal earnings for the April-June period on July 28, Japanese electronics makers say the worst is behind them in terms of damage from the March 11 earthquake.......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107290346.html

Summer demand for air conditioner cleaners heats up

Air conditioner cleaning firms are inundated with orders from customers hoping to save energy and keep cool as the summer heats up.......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107290342.html

Nomura reports sharp earnings recovery for April-June

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Nomura Holdings Inc., the parent company of Japan's largest securities house, said Friday its group net profit attributable to its shareholders in the April-June quarter soared more than sevenfold from a year earlier to 17.77 billion yen despite tough market conditions.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu061000c.html

Mazda suffers $327 million quarterly loss

TOKYO (AP) -- Mazda reported its third straight quarter of red ink Friday after vehicle production was hurt by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu063000c.html

ANA reports operating loss of 8.1 bil. yen for April-June

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- All Nippon Airways Co. on Friday reported a group operating loss of 8.10 billion yen in the April-June period due chiefly to falling passenger demand for its domestic passenger services after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu064000c.html

Hitachi's 1st quarter profit pulled down by quake

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Hitachi Ltd. said Friday its group operating profit in the April-June first quarter of fiscal 2011 fell 40.8 percent from a year earlier to 52.40 billion yen due mainly to supply disruptions caused by the March 11 disaster.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu065000c.html

Japan's vehicle output plunges 29&#37; in 1st half of 2011

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's motor vehicle production in the first half of 2011 dived 29.2 percent from a year earlier to 3,429,934 vehicles, a reflection of the severe disruption to industry supply networks caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, an industry body said Friday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/busin...bu069000c.html

No. of foreign residents drops 10% in disaster-hit prefectures

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The number of foreign residents in the three disaster-hit prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima dropped 10.5 percent to 30,092 as of the end of March compared with that at the end of last December, the Ministry of Justice said Friday.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm004000c.html

Kan vows again to quit after parliamentary passage of key bills

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Friday suggested he is committed to stepping down as promised after securing parliamentary passage of key bills....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm007000c.html

Japan gov't adopts basic policy on quake reconstruction

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's government adopted Friday a basic policy on how to rebuild areas devastated by the March earthquake and tsunami, estimating that at least 23 trillion yen will be needed to do so over the next decade.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm008000c.html

Tsunami-destroyed pub reopens outdoors with help from locals, volunteers

OTSUCHI, Iwate -- A pub manager who lost his establishment when the March 11 tsunami struck has now reopened outdoors with help from volunteers and the community.......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na006000c.html

Tsunami-devastated communities try to control plague of flies

Communities along the tsunami-devastated northeastern coast of Japan, facing thick swarms of flies since the March 11 disasters, are getting help from the Self-Defense Forces to exterminate the pests.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na009000c.html

'Relocations to high ground' not mentioned in government's basic reconstruction policy

The government on July 29 approved a basic policy plan on reconstruction for areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, but the policy lacks direct mention of Prime Minister Naoto Kan's proposal for moving tsunami-vulnerable structures to higher ground.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na011000c.html

GSDF personnel withdraw from Onagawa after completing disaster relief operations

A contingent of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) completed their disaster relief operations in the town of Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, on July 29......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na017000c.html


______________________________________________
Jiji press

Japan Eyes Intervention, Monetary Easing to Stem Yen Rise

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)--The government and the Bank of Japan are cautiously weighing the possibility of intervening in the currency market or taking an additional monetary easing step, now that the dollar's postwar low of 76.25 yen has come within sight.......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011073100057
_______________________________________
Sankei news

"pokemon with you"
smile express pikachu

[makoto]

Re: Japan - Major Earthquake Magnitude 9.0 on Mar 11, Many thousands dead &amp; missing - March 27+

About 20,600 dead or missing in March 11 disaster

The number of dead or missing in the March 11th earthquake and tsunami, including aftershocks, stands at 20,627 as of Saturday......

Sunday, July 31, 2011 01:19 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/31_01.html

Charity soccer on Brazilian beach

Children from the tsunami-hit city of Kamaishi in northeastern Japan traveled to Brazil to take part in a beach soccer charity event.......

Sunday, July 31, 2011 12:09 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/31_13.html

Parties split over taxes for reconstruction funds

Japanese political parties are divided over increasing taxes to fund the effort to rebuild eastern Japan after the March 11th earthquake and tsunami.......

Sunday, July 31, 2011 16:53 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/31_18.html
_____________________________________________
Yomiuri online

Early birds need good breakfasts

With the business day beginning earlier at Japanese companies and other organizations that have introduced daylight saving time, more people are eating breakfast at downtown restaurants or buying snacks or pastries at railway stations before work. But experts caution they should consider the nutritional content of such meals......

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110729002328.htm

'Tax hikes' left out of policy / Govt forced to not stipulate higher levies to fund reconstruction

The government has decided to spend at least 19 trillion yen over five years for the reconstruction of areas hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and the ensuing nuclear crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant.....

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110730003098.htm
____________________________________________
Asahi com

Tohoku brewer eyes global market

It seemed fitting for Hideharu Ohta to have a presence at a dinner party that the Dutch royal family hosted at Paleis Het Loo on Dec. 14.......

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107300249.html

Students with special needs give back to community through story-reading club

SUKAGAWA, Fukushima Prefecture--Rather than being on the receiving end, a group of students with special needs at a school here are giving something back to their community--a rare opportunity at schools like theirs.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107300241.html

Cat doll in visit Japan tourist video a hot seller

A video designed to lure tourists back to Japan featuring an all-male idol group and a tiny cat doll has created a frenzy among an unintended audience, the Japanese themselves.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107300240.html

American teacher who refused to evacuate soldiers on

ONAGAWA, Miyagi Prefecture--Following the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, the father of Robert Lehne, an assistant language teacher (ALT), saw the news and images of the disaster, and urged his son to come home.....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107300239.html

New postquake rebuilding policy skips tax-hike specifics

The government's Reconstruction Headquarters on July 29 unveiled what Prime Minister Naoto Kan called a "grand picture" for recovery that would spend roughly 19 trillion yen ($247 billion) in its first five years for intensive rebuilding in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake....

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201107300232.html
____________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Used wheelchairs get new life as gifts in disaster area

A school volunteer project is sending repaired wheelchairs to the areas hit hardest by the Great East Japan Earthquake as a form of long-lasting support......

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na023000c.html

Residents launch door-to-door campaign to help prevent 'lonely deaths' in disaster areas

SOMA, Fukushima -- Fishermen and fish brokers here who lost their jobs to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami have launched a door-to-door campaign to help elderly and handicapped people living in temporary housing in a bid to prevent "lonely deaths.".....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...na025000c.html

US vice president to visit Japan in latter half of August

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden plans to visit Japan in the latter half of August for talks with Japanese government leaders to confirm the deepening of the bilateral alliance and cooperation over North Korea, government sources from the two countries said Saturday.....

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/natio...dm063000c.html


_________________________________________
Jiji press

Big Japan Firms' April-June Profits Fall 18 Pct: Jiji Tally

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)--Major Japanese companies' group recurring profits in April-June declined 18.7 pct from a year earlier, dampened by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, according to a Jiji Press tally.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2011073100077

Japan Eyes Intervention, Monetary Easing to Stem Yen Rise

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)--The government and the Bank of Japan are cautiously weighing the possibility of intervening in the currency market or taking an additional monetary easing step, now that the dollar's postwar low of 76.25 yen has come within sight......

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011073100057

Despite Tsunami, over Half Want to Return to Hometowns

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)--More than half of residents on the northeastern Japan coast devastated by the March 11 tsunami hope to return to areas where their homes used to be located, a survey showed Sunday.....

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2011073100281
___________________________________________
Sankei news

Neputa festival, Aomori


Ishinomakikawabiraki river festival, Miyagi pref
http://www.facebook.com/kawabiraki.PR