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

makoto · Jan 7, 2012

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

Recovery predicted for April / Business leaders confident, but press for reforms, sales tax hike

The economy will begin recovering in April thanks to rising demand for reconstruction projects in areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake, leaders of the nation's three major business organizations have predicted.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T120106005169.htm

Maps help plot road to recovery in Tohoku

City planners in areas devastated by the March 11 quake and tsunami are using special maps of damage conditions to help them draft reconstruction plans, and Google has launched a project to archive before-and-after images of the disaster-hit zones.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120106005503.htm

Water colors

Firefighting ships spray colored water with the Tokyo Sky Tree in the background during Dezomeshiki, an annual January parade of fire departments, on Friday off Koto Ward, Tokyo. About 2,700 firefighters participated in the annual event held near Tokyo Big Sight exhibition hall. In addition to modern displays, performers of traditional firefighters' acrobatic ladder-climbing, dating back to the Edo period, flew banners with messages of encouragement for the Tohoku region.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20120107dy01.htm
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AJW

annual January parade of fire departments
<iframe width="300" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T7ZGvU9VYfU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

'Safe Japan' promotion continues after free-flight plan rejected

After its plan to give free flights to foreign bloggers was rejected, the Japan Tourism Agency decided to continue its promotion of Japan through a program focused on the disaster-hit Tohoku region.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201201070014
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Conveying the true feelings of disaster victims

Six months have passed since I moved from Tokyo to begin reporting from the Sanriku Coast in Iwate Prefecture, an area devastated by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. Each day I notice the feelings of people affected by the disasters -- the sadness of losing a loved one, the feeling of self-condemnation for surviving while others have died, and worries about the future. During my time here, I've also been taught the importance of time spent with family and friends -- things that I had taken for granted.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/perspectives/column/news/20120107p2a00m0na005000c.html

Teens visit tsunami-ravaged area in Miyagi on school trip

SENDAI (Kyodo) -- About 90 students of a public high school in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, visited a tsunami-ravaged area in Miyagi Prefecture, northeast Japan, on Saturday after their school trip's destination was changed in order for them to learn from the disaster.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/07/20120107p2g00m0dm002000c.html
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Jiji press

Anxiety over Everyday Life Weighs on Japan Disaster Victims

Tokyo, Jan. 7 (Jiji Press)--Anxiety over everyday life is weighing down on survivors of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami as they face up to the loss of jobs and homes. Many of them experience serious mental pain, experts said.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012010700228
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Sankei news

Teens visit tsunami-ravaged area in Miyagi on school trip

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JMA

21:31 JST 07 Jan 2012 38.2N 141.7E 50 km M4.0 Miyagi-ken Oki

jma http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/20120107213507391-072131.html

makoto · Jan 8, 2012

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

March 11 survivors facing hardships

An NHK survey on people living in a temporary housing complex following the March 11th disaster paints a grim picture.

Sunday, January 08, 2012 00:00 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120107_23.html

4,000 buildings designated as tsunami shelters

A survey has found that Japanese municipalities designated around 4,000 buildings to serve as tsunami shelters as of October of last year, with the number doubling in the few months after the March 2011 disaster.

Sunday, January 08, 2012 12:52 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120108_12.html
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Yomiuri online

Researchers strive to discover whether dogs also like hot springs

OKAYAMA--Are hot-spring baths as relaxing for dogs as they are for humans? A research team from a professional training college in Okayama City is looking into the matter.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120106001647.htm
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo,AP)

Mobile phone firms to collaborate on disaster voice message service

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- NTT Docomo Inc., KDDI Corp. and other mobile phone operators will team up to jointly provide a voice message service to help subscribers confirm their safety in the event of natural disasters, officials of the companies said Saturday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/08/20120108p2g00m0bu048000c.html

Man who continued publishing magazine after March 11 disasters receives award

SENDAI -- A man who continued publishing a magazine here despite harsh conditions following the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami became the recipient of the annual "Shuppan Azusakai Shinbunsha Gakugei Bunkasho" award, given to distinguished publishers.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/08/20120108p2a00m0na001000c.html
araemshi http://homepage2.nifty.com/araemishi/
araemishi twitter https://twitter.com!/araemishi

Quake, tsunami victims organize musical to express gratitude for disaster relief help

HIGASHIMATSUSHIMA, Miyagi -- Some 120 people from Miyagi Prefecture, one of the most affected areas in the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, have organized an original musical to express their gratitude for people's help following the disasters.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/08/20120108p2a00m0na002000c.html
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Sankei news

coming of age ceremony at Miyako city, Iwate pref

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JMA

13:41 JST 08 Jan 2012 38.6N 141.9E 50 km M4.2 Miyagi-ken Oki

jma http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120108134623391-081341.html

makoto · Jan 9, 2012

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

Japan to install tsunami monitoring system at sea

The Japanese government will install a large scale tsunami monitoring system on the Pacific seabed to speed up its warning process.

Monday, January 09, 2012 05:24 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120109_01.html

Govt to create disaster-aid inventory database

The Japanese government will launch a national database of food and other goods to enable speedy aid distribution in times of disaster.

Monday, January 09, 2012 11:25 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120109_14.html

Ishinomaki fire brigade mourns comrades

A fire brigade in tsunami-hit Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture has dedicated its New Year ceremony to members who perished in the March 11th disaster.

Monday, January 09, 2012 12:53 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120109_16.html

Experts developing disaster awareness video book

A group of experts in Japan is developing a digital book to help people better prepare for natural disasters. The devastating earthquake and tsunami last March led to the project's creation.

Monday, January 09, 2012 22:41 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120109_19.html
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AJW

PHOTO/ Young survivors come of age in quake-hit Tohoku

A 19-year-old in a Coming-of-Age Day ceremony in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, clutched a photograph of a friend killed in the March 11 tsunami, one of the many reminders of the devastation inflicted by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/archive/news/2012/01/20120109p2a00m0na004000c.html
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Sankei news

Ofunato Marathon competitions

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JMA

02:04 JST 09 Jan 2012 38.8N 142.2E 40 km M4.0 Miyagi-ken Oki

jma http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120109020811391-090204.html

07:13 JST 09 Jan 2012 39.3N 142.1E 50 km M5.0 Iwate-ken Oki

jma http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120109071721391-090713.html

makoto · Jan 10, 2012

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

Lucky man race for 2012

About 3,000 men raced through a shrine compound in Nishinomiya, western Japan on Monday, vying for the honor of being the luckiest man of the year.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 15:25 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120110_18.html he is a disaster-relief volunteer

KDDI to begin e-mail tsunami warning service

Japanese telecom firm KDDI will begin providing texted tsunami warnings to its mobile phone subscribers.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 16:15 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120110_20.html

Cabinet approval rate plunges to 30%

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 17:47 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120110_23.html

Noda visits disaster-hit areas

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has reiterated the need to speed up reconstruction efforts in disaster-hit northeastern Japan.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 19:07 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120110_26.html
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AJW

If anyone can make Tohoku smile, the candy man can

A group of confectioneries whose offices and factories are located in the six prefectures that form the Tohoku region will be selling a joint packaged set to show solidarity in support of reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The Michinoku-shu set of confections made in Tohoku's six prefectures (Provided by the steering committee for Michinoku-shu)
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/recovery/AJ201201100043
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AJW

Noda says stronger local industry will rebuild disaster-hit areas

ISHINOMAKI (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda took time out from political wrangling on Tuesday to get a firsthand look at how local businesses are surviving in disaster-hit northeastern Japan.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/10/20120110p2g00m0dm134000c.html

Former disaster-relief volunteer wins dash to shrine to become 'happiest man' in Japan

NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo -- A 21-year-old student became Japan's "happiest man" after he was the first among thousands to reach the main shrine in a traditional shrine festival here.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/10/20120110p2a00m0na010000c.html

Quake disaster survivors see bleak future as unemployment benefits run out

Survivors of the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami will start losing their unemployment benefits this month as Japan marks 10 months since the disaster, though many of them are struggling to find work.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/10/20120110p2a00m0na016000c.html

Disaster-stricken Ofunato holds annual marathon despite need to change courses

OFUNATO, Iwate -- An annual marathon that is a major event in this disaster-stricken city was held this year despite visible scars from last year's March 11 triple disasters.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/10/20120110p2a00m0na019000c.html
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Jiji press

5 Major Japan Nonlife Insurers Log Premium Revenue Growth

Tokyo, Jan. 10 (Jiji Press)--All five major Japanese nonlife insurance companies posted year-on-year growth in premium revenue in April-December 2011 partly thanks to premium hikes for automobile insurance in April, according to their reports released by Tuesday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2012011000951

JETRO to Help Disaster-Hit Japan Textile Makers in U.S.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2012011000797

Japan's Reconstruction Bonds Attract Solid Demand

Tokyo, Jan. 10 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Finance Ministry said Tuesday that bonds issued in December to raise funds from individuals for postdisaster reconstruction attracted strong demand, with sales coming to 745.4 billion yen.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011000944

Noda Visits Disaster-Hit Northeastern Areas

Ishinomaki, Miyagi Pref., Jan. 10 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda expressed his resolve to improve the living conditions of those hit by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami during his visit to affected areas in the northeastern prefectures of Miyagi and Iwate on Tuesday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011000973
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Sankei news

Lucky man race for 2012
<iframe width="300" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZD-idaWyMps?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

i love this race

makoto · Jan 11, 2012

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

Yomiuri online

JAPAN SINCE THE QUAKE -- Redefining happiness / People seek to connect with others

Every Japanese was feeling times were changing before March 11. The nation's birthrate remained at low levels while the population continued to age quickly. The government's fiscal condition was getting worse. The global financial crisis had hit the nation hard. Voters were disappointed with the performance of the Democratic Party of Japan, which had taken the reins of government from the Liberal Democratic Party in 2009.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120110006109.htm
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Incidents of fire in Japan up 12% in Jan.-June 2011

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The number of fire incidents in Japan in the first half of 2011 rose 12.0 percent from a year earlier to 27,557, excluding Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, which were hardest hit by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the government said Tuesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/11/20120111p2g00m0dm015000c.html

Police wage intensive search for missing 10 months after March disaster

SENDAI (Kyodo) -- Police carried out an intensive search for people still missing in the March earthquake and tsunami in Miyagi Prefecture Wednesday 10 months after the disaster wreaked havoc on Pacific coastal areas of northeastern Japan.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/11/20120111p2g00m0dm027000c.html

Dragon-like tree attracts visitors in disaster-stricken Kesennuma

KESENNUMA, Miyagi -- A pine tree that looks just like a dragon in this disaster-stricken city is attracting visitors since it was recently discovered, local residents say.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/11/20120111p2a00m0na008000c.html

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Jiji press

Biz Sentiment Improves in 3 Disater-Hit Japan Prefectures

Tokyo, Jan. 11 (Jiji Press)--Business sentiment in the three northeastern Japan prefectures hit hardest by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami improved in December thanks to brisk demand related to postdisaster reconstruction, a Teikoku Databank Ltd. survey showed Wednesday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011100823

Microsoft Launches Free PC Project for Disaster-Hit Small Firms

Tokyo, Jan. 11 (Jiji Press)--Microsoft Co. said Wednesday that it has launched a project to provide used personal computers for free to small firms in areas hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, including most badly affected Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2012011100921
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Sankei news

10 months after

Miyagi Prefecture police

Wakaba ward, Sendai city

Otsuchi town, Iwate pref

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JMA

08:23 JST 11 Jan 2012 38.4N 141.8E 60 km M4.2 Miyagi-ken Oki

jma http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120111082844391-110823.html

10:16 JST 11 Jan 2012 39.5N 143.6E 10 km M4.7 Sanriku Oki

jma http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120111102036391-111016.html

makoto · Jan 12, 2012

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

Japanese writers invited to Paris Book Fair

Nobel laureate Kenzaburo Oe and 21 other Japanese writers have been invited to this year's Paris Book Fair.

Thursday, January 12, 2012 12:09 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120112_17.html

New Year poetry reading held at Imperial Palace

The annual New Year's poetry reading took place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Thursday.

Thursday, January 12, 2012 14:18 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120112_20.html
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Yomiuri online

43,000 move from hard-hit Tohoku prefectures

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120111006111.htm

Job creation key to postdisaster recovery

Following a decline in the populations of areas hit hard by the March 11 disaster, special reconstruction zones have launched job-creation initiatives to curb a potential mass exodus of residents, as seen in previous disasters.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120111006035.htm

JAPAN SINCE THE QUAKE -- Redefining happiness / Disaster spurs strengthening of family ties

This is the second installment of a series of articles looking into the impact of the March 11 disaster on Japanese values. This article focuses on a growing tendency among Japanese to seek stronger family ties.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120111006710.htm

Continuing search

Miyagi prefectural police officers search among breakwater blocks for missing people on the coastline in the Iwaisaki district of Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, on Wednesday, the 10-month anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. As of Jan. 4, 1,861 of the prefecture's residents remained missing, with the last missing person found Dec. 13. The prefectural police started a regular twice-a-week search for missing people on Wednesday following irregular search efforts by diving teams and other units.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20120112dy01.htm
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AJW

Emperor, empress compose poems for disaster areas

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko expressed their feelings toward victims of the March 11 disaster in the Tohoku region in their poems read at the New Year Poetry ceremony on Jan. 12.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201201120065
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Nobel laureate Oe, 21 other Japanese invited to Paris Book Fair

PARIS (Kyodo) -- Nobel literature laureate Kenzaburo Oe and 21 other Japanese writers have been invited to France's largest book fair Salon du Livre to be held in March in Paris, the organizer said Wednesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/arts/archive/news/2012/01/20120112p2g00m0et146000c.html

Forum report urges flexible response to major crises on Japan quake

GENEVA (Kyodo) -- The World Economic Forum issued a report Wednesday calling for a flexible response to major crises based on lessons learned from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan last March.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/12/20120112p2g00m0bu116000c.html

Japan bank lending rises 0.5% in Dec., up for 3rd straight month

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/12/20120112p2g00m0bu129000c.html

Japan's Nov. current account surplus down 85.5%

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/12/20120112p2g00m0bu130000c.html

Emperor recounts visit to tsunami-affected areas in New Year poem

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Emperor Akihito recounted his visit to areas devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in a poem recited at the annual New Year Poetry Reading Ceremony at the Imperial Palace on Thursday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/12/20120112p2g00m0dm090000c.html

Woman visits daily place where missing husband called for citizens to evacuate from tsunami

MINAMISANRIKU, Miyagi -- A woman here continues to visit every day the office of her husband, missing since the March 11 tsunami, to leave gifts and speak out to him.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/12/20120112p2a00m0na007000c.html
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Jiji press

Special Unemployment Benefit in Disaster Areas Begins Expiring

Tokyo, Jan. 12 (Jiji Press)--Special unemployment benefit began coming to an end on Thursday in the three northeastern Japan prefectures hit hardest by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami last year, labor ministry officials said.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011200987
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Sankei news

disaster prevention forest in Sendai city seashore

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JMA

14:37 JST 12 Jan 2012 38.3N 142.6E 10 km M5.4 Miyagi-ken Oki

jma http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/3/20120112144220391-121437.html

makoto · Jan 14, 2012

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

Criminal offenses fall below 1.5 mil. in 2011

The number of criminal offenses last year in Japan fell below 1.5 million for the first time since 1981.

...Criminal offenses decreased a total of 16 percent in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, which were hit-hard by the March 11th disaster last year.....

Friday, January 13, 2012 06:47 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120113_02.html

Nankai quake may cause sustained jolts in Osaka

A panel of seismologists has predicted that a magnitude 8 earthquake in western Japan would cause long-period ground motions lasting more than 5 minutes in the commercial hub of Osaka.

Friday, January 13, 2012 18:03 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120113_18.html

Japan's new cabinet launched

Friday, January 13, 2012 17:03 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120113_22.html
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Yomiuri online

JAPAN SINCE THE QUAKE -- Redefining happiness / Young people question the meaning of work

This is the third installment of a series of articles looking into the impact of the March 11 disaster on Japanese values. This article focuses on a growing tendency among Japanese to redefine the meaning of work.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120112006768.htm

Quake victims to lose unemployment aid

More than 4,000 people in the disaster-hit areas of Fukushima, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures will lose their unemployment benefits by the end of February, according to labor ministry estimates.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120112006774.htm
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Machine tool orders rise 35.5% in 2011 on reconstruction demand

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Total orders for machine tools in 2011 rose 35.5 percent in value terms from the previous year to 1.33 trillion yen, increasing for the second consecutive year, due mainly to reconstruction demand in the wake of natural disasters including the March earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan and the massive flooding in Thailand, an industry body said Thursday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/13/20120113p2g00m0bu149000c.html

Special unemployment benefits to end for 4,000 quake-hit people

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Around 4,000 people will become ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits in coastal areas of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, devastated by the March 2011 disaster, by the end of February as special extensions begin to expire from Friday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/13/20120113p2g00m0dm010000c.html

Disaster drill for foreigners held in Tokyo

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Tokyo metropolitan government held a disaster drill Friday to help foreign residents better prepare for earthquakes and other natural disasters amid heightened attention following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/13/20120113p2g00m0dm118000c.html

makoto · Jan 14, 2012

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

Yomiuri online

JAPAN SINCE THE QUAKE--Redefining happiness / Many seeking less materialistic lifestyles

This is the fourth installment in a series of articles looking at the impact of the March 11 disaster on Japanese values. This article focuses on people who changed their lifestyles following the disaster.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120113006522.htm
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AJW

Exam-takers flock to 'lucky' rock that survived quake

A huge rock at a shrine in Miyagi Prefecture, that seems to be defying the odds by hanging tough on a steep slope despite the ground-shaking March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, is being used as inspiration for anxious exam-takers.

A "lucky" rock and huge ring made of reeds at the Tsuriishi shrine in disaster-hit Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture (Shigetaka Kodama)
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201201140004
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Number of business failures in Japan fall 4.4% in 2011

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/14/20120114p2g00m0bu068000c.html

Okada shows confidence over cross-party talks on sales tax

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/14/20120114p2g00m0dm001000c.html

Race is on to save literary treasures buried in mud by March tsunami

YAMAGATA -- The date is Dec. 13, 2011, and the handful of students cloistered away in one room at the Tohoku University of Art and Design (TUAD) here are on a mission. With faces covered in white surgical masks and brushes and bamboo tools in hand, they are trying to do nothing less than save small but precious slices of history and culture, one page at a time. In short, they are cleaning rare books, caught in last year's tsunami and still caked in dried mud.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/14/20120114p2a00m0na006000c.html
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Sankei news

University Testing Center Examination in Aoba ward, Sendai city

2011 photo exhibition in Japan Newspaper Museum, Yokohama city

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JMA

18:58 JST 14 Jan 2012 40.2N 142.5E 30 km M4.7 Iwate-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120114190121391-141858.html

makoto · Jan 15, 2012

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

Audio email service to begin to confirm safety

Japanese mobile phone carriers will start a service to use data communications for sending audio messages even when telephone service is disrupted following a severe disaster.

Sunday, January 15, 2012 14:42 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120115_20.html

New Year shinto ritual held in quake-hit Miyagi

The traditional Shinto ritual of burning New Year decorations has been performed in Japan's Miyagi Prefecture to pray for good health.

Sunday, January 15, 2012 14:50 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120115_21.html
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Yomiuri online

JAPAN SINCE THE QUAKE--Redefining happiness / Messages for loved ones, prayers for a nation

This is the fifth and final installment in a series of articles looking into the impact of the March 11 disaster on Japanese values. This article focuses on the growing popularity of "ending notebooks"--notebooks recording final thoughts for people outliving them--and an increase of people praying.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120114003932.htm

Entrance exams begin for university hopefuls

Two days of unified college entrance exams began Saturday at 709 test sites nationwide, including four temporary test sites specially set up in disaster-hit Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures to reduce the burden on applicants in the areas.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120114003874.htm
_______________________________________________________
AJW

The traditional Shinto ritual of burning New Year decorations in Aoba ward, Sendai city
<iframe width="300" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pm628ooL3YE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Authors try to encourage students in tsunami-stricken Tohoku

MORIOKA, Iwate Prefecture--Well-known authors and celebrities provided inspirational messages for a booklet to encourage high school students in Iwate Prefecture affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201201150003
________________________________________________________
Mainichi jp(kyodo, AP)

Singer-songwriter composes tune for disaster-stricken Ishinomaki

KOBE -- A local singer-songwriter has written a tune dedicated to Ishinomaki, one of the most severely affected cities in the Tohoku region following the March 11 quake and tsunami, to encourage disaster victims and remind people not to forget about them.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/arts/archive/news/2012/01/20120115p2a00m0na006000c.html

Woman aspires to replace pine trees lost to March tsunami

RIKUZENTAKATA (Kyodo) -- The Pacific coast of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, used to be lined with some 70,000 pine trees. Now almost all have disappeared, swept away by the tsunami triggered by last March's devastating earthquake.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/archive/news/2012/01/20120115p2g00m0fe014000c.html

Encouraging disaster victims to try hard and cheer up could put pressure on them

Encouraging victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake to try hard to overcome their hardship or cheer up could put pressure on them or even push them to breaking point, victims and experts say.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/archive/news/2012/01/20120115p2a00m0na009000c.html
___________________________________________________
Jiji press

Disaster-Hit Processed Food Makers Promote Sales in U.S.

San Francisco, Jan. 15 (Jiji Press)--Japanese processed food makers hit by the earthquake and tsunami last March 11 promoted their products to U.S. distribution and restaurant industries at a food exhibition that opened in San Francisco on Sunday for a three-day run.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011600463
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Sankei news

The traditional Shinto ritual of burning New Year decorations in Kesennuma city, Miyagi pref

_________________________________________________________
JMA

19:36 JST 15 Jan 2012 38.8N 142.1E 50 km M4.1 Miyagi-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120115194003391-151936.html

makoto · Jan 16, 2012

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

Iwate Pref. to commisssion land assesments

Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan says it will commission outside experts to make property assessments of areas struck by a tsunami last March.

Monday, January 16, 2012 18:01 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120116_26.html

Disaster-affected firms take part in US food show

Companies from areas affected by last year's massive earthquake and tsunami are taking part in a US food trade fair to try and expand their business overseas.

Monday, January 16, 2012 19:20 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120116_29.html
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Yomiuri online

Treasured pine still standing tall after tsunami

MINAMI-SOMA, Fukushima--Izumi no Ichiyo Matsu, a 400-year-old pine tree on the coast of Minami-Soma City, has survived the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent salt pollution.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120115003080.htm

Local govts helping condos brace for quakes

In recent years, a growing number of local governments have been supporting earthquake-resistance upgrades for condominiums built before quake-resistance standards were strengthened.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120115002916.htm
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Japan actor Watanabe to attend Davos economic forum

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese actor Ken Watanabe will attend an annual meeting of the World Economic Forum to start in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 25 to give a speech on the March earthquake and tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan, his office said Monday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/arts/archive/news/2012/01/20120116p2g00m0et096000c.html

Japan's core machinery orders surge 14.8% in November

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/16/20120116p2g00m0bu082000c.html

Former teacher, disaster orphan hold concert in tsunami-devastated city

RIKUZENTAKATA, Iwate -- A former teacher who worked to help students psychologically recover from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake and a girl who lost four family members to the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami hosted a concert together here on Jan. 15, where they sung in hope for the revival of the area.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/16/20120116p2a00m0na009000c.html

Tsunami victims make own relocation plans amid slow gov't progress

ONAGAWA, Miyagi -- Residents of a fishing community in this tsunami-stricken town have set about finding relocation sites by themselves -- countering the local government's slow action.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/16/20120116p2a00m0na016000c.html
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Sankei news

<iframe width="300" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KDtYV_f0Je0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Candle Night of 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in Itami city, Hyogo pref

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JMA

10:38 JST 16 Jan 2012 38.4N 141.9E 60 km M4.0 Miyagi-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120116104205391-161038.html

makoto · Jan 17, 2012

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

Memorial held to mark 17 years since Hanshin quake

A memorial was held on Tuesday in the port city of Kobe in western Japan to mark the 17th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake. The quake killed 6,434 people.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 07:57 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120117_07.html

Victims of 1995 Hanshin quake remembered

Tuesday marks the 17th anniversary of an earthquake that hit the port city of Kobe and its surrounding areas. Local communities are holding numerous ceremonies to remember the nearly 6,500 people who died in the disaster.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 12:56 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120117_17.html

Japan hopes for more tourists from S. Korea

A top Japanese government official in charge of tourism is working to attract tourists from South Korea.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 19:04 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120117_27.html only korea? I hope for more tourists from world
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Yomiuri online

REVITALIZING JAPAN--Building a disaster-resistant nation / Post-disaster efforts litmus test for nation

This is the prologue in a series of articles examining ways to restore Japan's vitality. In the aftermath of the March 11 disaster and in the course of reconstruction efforts, many issues have emerged that the entire nation must face.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120116005483.htm

Job crisis ongoing for quake victims / Individuals face benefit cuts, industry hampered by rebuilding delays, bureaucracy

With unemployment benefit payments for some people in areas hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake beginning to end this month and only temporary jobs available, the unemployment crisis in the Tohoku region is worsening.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120116005333.htm

10,000 to participate in Tokyo disaster drills

A series of exercises will be held across Tokyo from next month to help prepare Tokyoites for the hours after a major earthquake that shuts down public transport networks across the capital.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120116004701.htm

Back to school

Seventy students attend an opening ceremony for the third term of the school year on Monday at a temporary building for Toni Primary School in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture. The prefabricated two-story building was built at a higher elevation on Toni Middle School grounds and was completed late last year. After the March 11 disaster, Toni students had attended classes at Heita Primary School as the tsunami flooded three stories of their own school located along the coast.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20120117dy01.htm
________________________________________________________
AJW

'Life' lit up for 17th anniversary of Kobe quake

A lighting display event was held on Jan. 16. on a sandbar in the Mukogawa river running through Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake.

Stones formed into the kanji character 'sei' (life) are lit to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. (Kenta Sujino)
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201201170015

<iframe width="300" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sTCaRFiqSGE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="300" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JBlXK_bGkT8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING / Tohoku school clubs receive mountain of support

Climbers and mountain equipment makers from across Japan are sending in boots, sleeping bags and other equipment to get high school students in areas devastated by the March 11th earthquake and tsunami out into the mountains.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/sports/topics/AJ201201170038

Lunar new year ritual spooks evacuee children

Evacuee children living in temporary housing in the Yoshihama district of tsunami-hit Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, had the wits scared out of them by a man dressed in a monster costume on Jan. 15.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201201170007
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Gift from late parents encouraged Kobe quake orphan to work hard in life

KOBE -- On the 17th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, a 26-year-old man looks on his life in retrospect to find that what encouraged him to work hard over the years was a single gift that his parents gave him before they lost their lives on that horrible day.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/archive/news/2012/01/20120117p2a00m0na019000c.html

Japan's 2011 beer shipments drop to record low due to quake

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Total shipments of beer and beer-like drinks in Japan dropped 3.7 percent in 2011 from a year earlier to a record low of 442.39 million cases due partly to the massive March earthquake and tsunami that disrupted supplies, industry data showed Tuesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/17/20120117p2g00m0bu123000c.html

Hong Kong lowers travel warnings for Japan

HONG KONG (Kyodo) -- The Hong Kong government eased Monday travel alerts for Japan-bound visitors, removing restrictions to all Japanese destinations except Fukushima Prefecture, home to the nuclear power plant damaged by last year's earthquake and tsunami.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/17/20120117p2g00m0dm025000c.html

Kobe area marks 17 years since deadly quake, honors Tohoku victims

KOBE (Kyodo) -- A series of ceremonies and commemorative events marked the 17th anniversary Tuesday of the Great Hanshin Earthquake which ravaged Hyogo Prefecture and its surrounding areas in western Japan, claiming about 6,430 lives.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/17/20120117p2g00m0dm040000c.html

72% of graduating univ. students have job offers, 2nd worst on record

....Among job-seeking high school students in the three prefectures hardest hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, 71.0 percent in Miyagi have found jobs, up 15.9 points. The rate also rose 3.9 points to 80.1 percent in Iwate and 6.9 points to 73.3 percent in Fukushima.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/17/20120117p2g00m0dm102000c.html

Flames of hope spreading along disaster-hit northeast coast

RIKUZENTAKATA, Iwate -- The flames of hope are spreading along the tsunami-devastated northeast coast of Japan, literally.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/17/20120117p2a00m0na006000c.html

Problems emerge after local gov'ts secure 'deemed' temporary homes for disaster victims

Local governments in northeastern Japan severely affected by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami have secured tens of thousands of "deemed temporary houses" for disaster victims by renting private homes, but the people using those facilities are scattered across the country in such a way that local governments and relief workers cannot easily reach them.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/17/20120117p2a00m0na009000c.html

Tsunami-hit Ishinomaki holds memorial service for Hanshin quake victims

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi -- Residents here marked the 17th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake with a memorial service held to pay homage to the victims and express gratitude to survivors for their help since last year's triple disasters.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/17/20120117p2a00m0na013000c.html

Tsunami disaster orphans estimated at 240

The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami left a total of 240 orphans in the three most severely affected prefectures, Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima, latest prefectural estimates show.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/17/20120117p2a00m0na017000c.html

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Jiji press

Japan Used Vehicle Sales Hit Record Low

Tokyo, Jan. 17 (Jiji Press)--Sales of used vehicles in Japan, excluding minivehicles, fell 4.0 pct in 2011 to a record low of 3,774,015 units, an industry group said Tuesday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011701020

5 Companies to Build "Smart City" in Sendai

Sendai, Jan. 17 (Jiji Press)--Hitachi Ltd. <6501> and four Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. <9432> group companies will set up a joint company to develop an environmentally friendly "smart city" in Sendai as part of projects to reconstruct the northeastern city hit hard by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11 last year, it was learned Tuesday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2012011701465

Kobe Quake Survivors Express Support for March 11 Victims

Kobe, Jan. 17 (Jiji Press)--Thousands gathered for a memorial ceremony in Kobe Tuesday to mark the 17th anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck the western Japan area.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011701029

Japan, U.S. to Team Up on Tsunami Debris

Washington, Jan. 17 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Environment Minister Goshi Hosno and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides agreed in a meeting here Tuesday that their countries will team up on measures to deal with massive marine debris from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011800242
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Sankei news

memorial service for Hanshin quake victims

makoto · Jan 18, 2012

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

Japan may send experts to US to deal with debris

Japan's disaster minister says the government may send a group of experts to the US to share information about debris from Japan's March 11th quake and tsunami.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 17:09 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120118_27.html
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Yomiuri online

Ministry plans to enable real estate securitization

The land ministry announced plans to establish a new system facilitating the securitization of real estate assets to raise private funds as part of efforts to promote seismic retrofitting and redevelopment for deteriorated buildings.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T120117005312.htm

Hanshin victims renew vow to move on

KOBE--On the 17th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake on Tuesday at 5:46 a.m., Choi Minbu, 70, who runs a shoe factory in Suma Ward, Kobe, observed a moment of silence at a park near his house with his neighbors, an annual practice since the Hanshin disaster.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120117005935.htm

REVITALIZING JAPAN -- Building a disaster-resistant nation / How should we be prepared for 'calamity' in 1,000 yrs?

This is the first installment in a series of articles examining ways to restore Japan's vitality.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120117005950.htm

Hanshin quake victims remembered

KOBE--Participants in a ceremony Tuesday marking the 17th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in Kobe prayed not only for the victims of the 1995 disaster but also for those who died in last year's Great East Japan Earthquake.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120117005951.htm
______________________________________________________
AJW

Hanshin quake survivors grieve for daughter killed on 3/11

KOBE--At 5:46 a.m. on Jan. 17, Toshinori Fujita and his wife, Hidemi, prayed for the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck at that moment 17 years ago, but their grief also included their daughter, who lost her life in the March 11 disaster.

Hidemi Fujita, left, and her husband, Toshinori, attend a memorial service for victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in Kobe on Jan. 17. (Takaharu Yagi)
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/life_and_death/AJ201201180003
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Japan used vehicle sales fall to record low in 2011

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Sales of secondhand vehicles in Japan declined 4.0 percent in 2011 from a year earlier to 3,774,015 units, marking a record low since the compilation of data began in 1978, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said Tuesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/18/20120118p2g00m0bu114000c.html

Toyota celebrates Aqua production in Iwate Pref.

KANEGASAKI, Japan (Kyodo) -- Toyota Motor Corp. celebrated on Tuesday the start of production of its new Aqua hybrid compact car at a plant operated by subsidiary Kanto Auto Works Ltd. in Kanegasaki, Iwate Prefecture.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/18/20120118p2g00m0bu118000c.html

World Bank trims growth forecast for Japan to 1.9% in 2012

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/18/20120118p2g00m0bu122000c.html

Japanese firms keen to move some operations overseas to diversify risk

SINGAPORE (Kyodo) -- More Japanese companies are looking overseas to diversify risks after the earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan in March last year, a top Singapore investment official said Tuesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/18/20120118p2g00m0bu123000c.html

Japanese businesses recovering after quake: Japan business group

HONG KONG (Kyodo) -- A majority of Japanese businesses are expecting improved profit in the 2011 fiscal year thanks to the government's earthquake relief measures but the weak economic sentiment in the West offers no quick fix for a full recovery, the head of a Japanese business group said here Tuesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/18/20120118p2g00m0bu124000c.html

Sendai to continue property tax breaks for land owners hit by March 11 disasters

SENDAI -- The city government here has decided to continue property tax breaks for land owners hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in the 2012 fiscal year, it has been learned.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/18/20120118p2a00m0na005000c.html
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Jiji press

Japan New Auto Sales Seen Topping 5 M. Units in 2012

Tokyo, Jan. 18 (Jiji Press)--New automobile sales in Japan in 2012 are expected to rise 19.1 pct from the previous year to 5,015,500 units, according to an industry organization's estimate Wednesday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2012011800856

Japan to Hire Recovery Support Staff in Disaster Areas

Tokyo, Jan. 18 (Jiji Press)--Japan's internal ministry plans to help municipalities hit by the giant earthquake and tsunami last March 11 to hire staff to support reconstruction of their communities from fiscal 2012, it was learned Wednesday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011800951

Spending for Japan Independent Administrative Bodies Grows due to Disaster

Tokyo, Jan. 18 (Jiji Press)--Japan's fiscal expenditures for independent administrative agencies earmarked for fiscal 2012 totaled 3,111.3 billion yen, up 4.1 pct from the previous year, the Ministry of Finance said Wednesday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011801018
________________________________________________________
JMA

17:55 JST 18 Jan 2012 38.6N 141.9E 50 km M4.3 Miyagi-ken Oki

jma http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120118175850384-181755.html

makoto · Jan 19, 2012

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

Japan forecasts over 5 mil. auto sales in 2012

....Car-sales in 2011 were the lowest in the past 34 years as the March 11th earthquake and tsunami damaged parts-suppliers in the northeastern part of the country......

Thursday, January 19, 2012 05:29 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120119_04.html

BOJ to forecast 2% growth for fiscal 2012

The Bank of Japan is expected to forecast economic growth of around 2 percent in fiscal 2012. The central bank will present its latest estimate early next week.

Thursday, January 19, 2012 12:53 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120119_17.html
_________________________________________________________
Yomiuri online

Patchwork quilts bringing warmth to disaster areas

"Let's hang in there, united!" The squares of fabric may be small--10 square centimeters--but the sentiment behind messages adorning them to cheer up survivors of the March 11 earthquake-tsunami-nuclear crisis is not.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120118004086.htm

REVITALIZING JAPAN -- Building a disaster-resistant nation / Home is where the heart is: Locals decide to stay

This is the second installment in a series of articles examining ways to restore Japan's vitality.

When The Yomiuri Shimbun recently visited New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a house was being elevated to prevent it from being inundated by future flooding.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120118006638.htm
____________________________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Foreign visitors to Japan in 2011 logs sharpest decline on record

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The number of foreign nationals entering Japan in 2011 dived 24.4 percent from the year earlier to 7.14 million, down 2.31 million, marking the sharpest declines in terms of both rate and number since 1950 when the compilation of comparable data started, government data showed Tuesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/travel/archive/news/2012/20120119p2g00m0dm143000c.html

Trade fair featuring textile makers from quake-hit area opens in N.Y.

NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- A trade fair featuring 16 textile and knitting firms from three Japanese prefectures hit by last year's earthquake and tsunami disaster opened Wednesday at a hotel in New York.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/arts/archive/news/2012/01/20120119p2g00m0et149000c.html

Global economic losses from disasters in 2011 total $366 bil.

GENEVA (Kyodo) -- The economic losses from disasters around the world in 2011 totaled a record-high $366 billion due mainly to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, according to a United Nations report released Wednesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/19/20120119p2g00m0bu130000c.html

New vehicle sales in 2012 projected to top 5 mil.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/19/20120119p2g00m0bu144000c.html

Maldives to invite children from disaster-hit areas

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Maldives plans to invite children from northeastern Japan that was hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Maldivian Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem said in a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba Wednesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/19/20120119p2g00m0dm101000c.html

Operation Tomodachi commander Walsh to retire from U.S. military

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- Adm. Patrick Walsh, who led the U.S. military's relief operations dubbed Operation Tomodachi in the wake of the March 2011 disaster in northeastern Japan, will retire from service, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said Wednesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/19/20120119p2g00m0dm102000c.html
__________________________________________________________
Jiji press

Japan to Set Up Reconstruction Agency on Feb. 10

Tokyo, Jan. 19 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government will set up a new agency in charge of reconstruction from last year's disaster on Feb. 10, according to sources.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011900131

JR East to Spend Over 10 B. Yen for Sendai Station Redevelopment

Sendai, Miyagi Pref., Jan. 19 (Jiji Press)--East Japan Railway Co. <9020>, or JR East, will spend over 10 billion yen on the redevelopment of its Sendai Station in this northeastern Japan city, to give an impetus to the city's recovery from the March 2011 disaster, Masayuki Satomi, chief of the firm's Sendai branch, said Thursday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011900666

Over 80 Pct of Social Welfare Facilities in Japan Quake-Resistant

Tokyo, Jan. 19 (Jiji Press)--Over 80 pct of social welfare facilities across Japan are resistant to earthquakes as strong as upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7, a government study revealed Thursday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012011901018

Operation Tomodachi Commander Walsh to Retire

Washington, Jan. 19 (Jiji Press)--Adm. Patrick Walsh, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, will retire Friday after heading relief Operation "Tomodachi," or friends in English, in the wake of the March 2011 disaster in Japan.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012000155

U.S. to Give Japan Dogwoods on 100th Anniv. of Cherry Tree Gift

Washington, Jan. 19 (Jiji Press)--Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said Thursday that the United States will donate 3,000 dogwoods to Japan to mark the 100th anniversary of the gift of cherry trees from Japan.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012000336
_______________________________________________________
JMA

04:33 JST 19 Jan 2012 39.1N 142.5E 30 km M4.3 Iwate-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120119043728391-190433.html

09:10 JST 19 Jan 2012 38.3N 141.8E 50 km M4.0 Miyagi-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120119091423391-190910.html

10:11 JST 19 Jan 2012 39.1N 142.1E 50 km M4.0 Iwate-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120119101559391-191011.html

16:42 JST 19 Jan 2012 39.2N 142.5E 30 km M4.4 Iwate-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120119164636391-191642.html

makoto · Jan 20, 2012

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

East Timor President thanks Japan for support

....On Friday he is scheduled to inspect Japan's northeast which was hit hard by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11 last year. He plans to visit elementary and high schools in Sendai City.

Friday, January 20, 2012 01:09 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120120_02.html

US official urges continuity of Japan's leadership

.....Campbell also revealed a US plan to donate 3,000 dogwood seedlings to Tokyo and areas affected by the March 11th disaster in northeastern Japan as a token of friendship.

He said this will be a reciprocal gift, marking the 100th anniversary of Japan's donation of cherry trees to Washington. He said he hopes the gift will help to deepen the bilateral alliance.

Friday, January 20, 2012 09:30 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120120_13.html

Govt panel studies use of ships in disaster relief

The Cabinet Office has set up a study panel to look into the possibility of using ships as hospitals and government offices in the event of a major disaster.

Friday, January 20, 2012 12:25 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120120_19.html

No. of foreign tourists posts biggest drop in '11

The number of foreign visitors to Japan posted a record drop last year, due mainly to the March 11th disaster and the nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.

Friday, January 20, 2012 16:41 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120120_32.html

Japan to hold ceremony to mourn disaster victims

Japan is to hold a memorial ceremony on March 11th to mark the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan and mourn the victims of the disaster.

Friday, January 20, 2012 18:09 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120120_31.html

Foreign tourists shun Japan after March 11th

The number of overseas visitors to Japan posted a record fall last year, due mainly to the March 11th disasters and the nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.

Friday, January 20, 2012 18:30 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120120_35.html
________________________________________________________
Yomiuri online

REVITALIZING JAPAN--Building a disaster-resistant nation / Secure traffic routes to prevent isolation of damaged areas

The following is the third installment in a series of articles examining ways to regain Japan's vitality.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120119006647.htm
___________________________________________________________
AJW

'Slow slip' may have triggered March 11 disaster

The Great East Japan Earthquake was preceded by small, repeating quakes that migrated slowly to where the disaster eventually hit last March 11, according to researchers at the University of Tokyo citing a seismological phenomenon known as "slow slip."

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/analysis/AJ201201200037
__________________________________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Central Japan Expressway to launch fixed-rate pass for foreign tourists

NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Central Nippon Expressway Co. said Thursday it will offer a fixed-rate toll pass for foreign tourists on parts of its expressways in central Japan in a bid to promote tourism in the region.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/travel/archive/news/2012/20120120p2g00m0dm124000c.html

Space probe Hayabusa capsule displayed in tsunami-hit city

OFUNATO (Kyodo) -- An exhibition of a capsule and other items brought back to earth by Japan's Hayabusa unmanned space probe in 2010 began Thursday in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, in a bid to lift residents' spirits while the city tries to recover from the March 11 tsunami.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/arts/archive/news/2012/01/20120120p2g00m0et165000c.html

Quake causes 0.1% drop in Tokyo area condo supply in 2011

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The number of new condominiums put on sale in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures in 2011 decreased 0.1 percent from the previous year to 44,494 units as the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami prompted suppliers to delay their release for six months or so, a research institute said Thursday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/20/20120120p2g00m0bu154000c.html

Memorial wood to be built in disaster-hit Kesennuma

SENDAI (Kyodo) -- Planting of trees will begin in March on Mt. Amba in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, to build a wood in memory of the victims of the March 2011 quake and tsunami.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/20/20120120p2g00m0dm026000c.html

Miyagi man nabbed for taking bribe over post-disaster reconstruction project

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi -- A 47-year-old man was arrested on the night of Jan. 19 for allegedly receiving a bribe over housing demolition work ordered by the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/20/20120120p2a00m0na006000c.html

Great East Japan Earthquake may have been caused by 'slow slips': researchers

The magnitude 9.0 Great East Japan Earthquake and a smaller earlier quake may have been caused by a phenomenon known as "slow slips," according to research by the University of Tokyo's Earthquake Research Institute.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/20/20120120p2a00m0na010000c.html
______________________________________________________________
Jiji press

Japan to Hold Disaster Memorial Ceremony on March 11

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government said Friday it will hold a memorial ceremony in Tokyo on March 11 to mark the first anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck the northeast of the country.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012000553

171 Left Jobless in Disaster Areas after Unemployment Benefit Expires

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese labor ministry said Friday that 171 people remained unemployed as of Jan. 13 in the three northeastern prefectures ravaged by the earthquake and tsunami last March after their unemployment benefit expired the previous day.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012000702

Number of Foreign Tourists in Japan Falls Record 28 Pct in 2011

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)--The estimated number of foreign tourists in Japan plunged 27.8 pct from a year earlier to 6,219,300 in 2011, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Friday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012000742

Slow Slips May Have Triggered March 11 Quake: Experts

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)--Major seafloor movements, called slow slips, may have given the final push that triggered the earthquake that hit Japan on March 11, Japanese seismologists said.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012000865
_______________________________________________________
JMA

08:14 JST 20 Jan 2012 38.3N 142.3E 30 km M4.2 Miyagi-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120120081911391-200814.html

17:29 JST 20 Jan 2012 38.3N 142.2E 40 km M4.6 Miyagi-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120120173344391-201729.html

22:31 JST 20 Jan 2012 37.8N 143.4E 10 km M4.8 Sanriku Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120120223534391-202231.html

makoto · Jan 21, 2012

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

Misogi ritual takes place in tsunami-hit Kamaishi

A group of eight men walked into the cold ocean waters off tsunami-hit Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture on Saturday as part of a purification ritual

Saturday, January 21, 2012 23:32 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120121_16.html
___________________________________________________________________________________
Yomiuri online

Not all gloom for dept stores in 2011

Sluggish consumer spending caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake exacerbated declining department store sales last year, but sales at some stores in quake-hit areas showed signs of growth after the disaster.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T120120006419.htm
_______________________________________________________________
AJW

Don't rush to put out flames during quake

If you live in an apartment on a high floor, it's safer to first take cover during a strong earthquake than to immediately extinguish a gas stove or kerosene heater, according to a survey by the Tokyo Fire Department.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120120006297.htm

'Reconstruction supporters' eyed

The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry has decided to station staff it calls "reconstruction supporters" in areas damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120120005897.htm

Food from disaster-hit areas shown at San Francisco fair

SAN FRANCISCO--Food items produced in areas hit by the March 11 disaster drew the attention of visitors at a three-day international food trade show in San Francisco.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120120005895.htm

REVITALIZING JAPAN--Building a disaster-resistant nation / Spreading out industrial bases to reduce disaster risk

The following is the fourth installment in a series of articles examining ways to regain Japan's vitality.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120120006917.htm
_______________________________________________________
AJW

Children’s debris art to be exhibited in Italy

YAMAGATA, Yamagata Prefecture--Artworks created out of debris by children in disaster-stricken Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, will be on display in Zagarolo, Italy in March.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/life_and_death/AJ201201210021

State service planned for disaster victims on March 11

The imperial couple, the prime minister and bereaved family members will attend a government ceremony to commemorate victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake in Tokyo on March 11, the one-year anniversary of the disaster.

Residents and others in Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, observe a moment of silence on April 11, a month after the Great East Japan Earthquake. The government has decided to hold a memorial ceremony in Tokyo on March 11. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/life_and_death/AJ201201210016

BASKETBALL / Raising funds for Miyagi, 1 bounce at a time

A young basketball fan is currently bouncing his way from Tokyo to disaster-stricken Miyagi Prefecture to raise money for quake-hit regions.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/life_and_death/AJ201201210024
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Japan's 2011 crude steel output down 1.8% on disaster

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's crude steel output in 2011 declined 1.8 percent from the previous year to 107.59 million tons, affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, an industry body said Friday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/21/20120121p2g00m0bu049000c.html

E. Timorese president cheers up students in disaster-hit Sendai

SENDAI (Kyodo) -- East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta on Friday visited a high school in Sendai, which was hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and cheered up some 800 students there.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/21/20120121p2g00m0dm001000c.html

Japan to test technologies to enhance farming, fishing

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan will test global positioning systems and other technologies from fiscal 2012 to enhance farming and fishing operations in Miyagi and Iwate prefectures that were devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/21/20120121p2g00m0dm002000c.html

Number of Japanese studying abroad falls in 2009 for 5th yr in row

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/21/20120121p2g00m0dm007000c.html

No. of visitors to Japan falls sharply due to disaster, nuclear crisis

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/21/20120121p2g00m0dm009000c.html

Buoys found in Alaska may be Japan tsunami debris

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- A half dozen large buoys suspected to be from Japanese oyster farms have appeared at the top of Alaska's panhandle and may be among the first debris from Japan's devastating tsunami last year.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/21/20120121p2g00m0in033000c.html

Organizations roll out 'karaoke on wheels' to cheer up disaster victims

Several institutions have come up with a unique idea to help quake and tsunami victims relieve stress: sending them a touring "karaoke box."

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/21/20120121p2a00m0na012000c.html
_______________________________________________________
Jiji press

Japan to Report 1st Trade Deficit in 31 Years for 2011

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)--Japan, affected by soaring fuel imports, looks certain to have run a trade deficit in 2011 for the first time since 1980 in the aftermath of the second oil crisis.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012100180
__________________________________________________________
Afpbbnews

Foreign volunteers in disaster area
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p4YTg8RA9yY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

makoto · Jan 22, 2012

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

Yomiuri online

REVITALIZING JAPAN--Building a disaster-resistant nation / Differences in supply systems affected recovery work

The following is the fifth installment in a series of articles examining ways to regain Japan's vitality.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120121003684.htm

Mind over matter

Men participate in daikan misogi, a ritual to pray for good health, at Nehama Beach in the city of Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, on Saturday. The day marked the start of daikan, the coldest period of winter according to the old Chinese calendar. Some years have seen as many as 50 men participate in the annual ritual, which has been sponsored by Otsuchi Inari Shrine in the neighboring town of Otsuchi for about 30 years. However, there were only nine participants this year as some regular members fell victim to the March 11 tsunami.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20120122dy01.htm
____________________________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Rising construction costs hinder rebuilding of quake, tsunami-hit areas

Rising construction costs are becoming an obstacle to the smooth rebuilding of many quake and tsunami-affected regions, sources close to the industry say.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/archive/news/2012/01/20120122p2a00m0na006000c.html

Area 1seg mobile broadcasting enters spotlight after quake disaster

When Japan was struck by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, many people relied on "1seg" mobile TV and data broadcasts to get news on the disaster. Now across Japan, localized "Area 1seg" broadcasts are being tested in a system that could provide more area-specific information during an emergency.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/22/20120122p2a00m0na005000c.html

makoto · Jan 23, 2012

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

US to give dogwood to Japan's disaster-hit areas

The United States plans to present 3,000 dogwood seedlings this spring to Japan's northeast as another symbol of the 2 allies' friendship. The area was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami last March.

Monday, January 23, 2012 05:23 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120123_02.html

School board apologizes for tsunami deaths

The education board in Ishinomaki City, northeastern Japan has admitted responsibility and apologized for the large number of deaths among students at the Okawa Elementary School in last year's tsunami.

Monday, January 23, 2012 07:42 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120123_06.html

Reconstruction agency to be set up on Feb 10

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda says the agency to oversee the reconstruction of areas damaged by the March 11th earthquake and tsunami will be launched on February 10th.

Monday, January 23, 2012 20:17 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120123_25.html
__________________________________________________________
Yomiuri online

'Quake anthology' to be published

An anthology on the Great East Japan Earthquake comprising the works of 17 authors in Japan and abroad will be published in February, followed by the publication of an English version in the United States and Britain in March.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120122002051.htm

Funds key to rebuilding disaster victims' lives / Local governments rough out plans to buy land, help groups revive destroyed communities

Local governments in disaster-hit areas are giving people whose homes were swept away by the March 11 tsunami a rough idea how much they are prepared to pay for their devastated land so the victims can rebuild their lives on higher ground.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120122003954.htm

3 choices for victims looking for a place to live

People who lost their homes in the March 11 disaster are left with three major choices in deciding where to live.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120122003712.htm

Leaders of reconstruction agency named

The government has tapped Yukiyoshi Minehisa, former administrative vice minister of the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, as vice minister of the reconstruction agency to be launched on Feb. 10, according to government sources.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120122003968.htm

REVITALIZING JAPAN--Building a disaster-resistant nation / Medical dispatch teams face many hurdles

The following is the sixth installment in a series of articles examining ways to regain Japan's vitality. This article examines problems faced by medical teams dispatched to areas hit by the March 11 disaster.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120122004108.htm
_________________________________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Vocal group VOXRAY sends suits to high school students in disaster area

Four-member male vocal group VOXRAY is supporting disadvantaged high school students in Japan's tsunami-struck areas with custom-made suits as graduation day approaches.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/arts/archive/news/2012/01/20120123p2a00m0na010000c.html

Japan supermarket sales fall in 2011 for 15th straight year

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's supermarket sales in 2011 fell 0.8 percent from the previous year on a same-store basis, declining for the 15th consecutive year, due to a prolonged economic slump, intensifying competition from convenience stores and the March 11 disaster, an industry body said Monday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/23/20120123p2g00m0bu122000c.html

Women hit harder in job market than men in disaster areas

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Women faced greater difficulty in finding jobs than men in the northeastern Japan area hardest hit by the March 11 disasters, a labor ministry survey on jobless benefit recipients showed.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/23/20120123p2g00m0dm072000c.html

60 percent opposed to consumption tax hike: Mainichi poll

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/23/20120123p2a00m0na001000c.html

Risk of big quake in Tokyo area within 4 years may be 70%: institute

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The risk of a big earthquake hitting the southern Kanto region including Tokyo within the next four years could be as high as about 70 percent, according to a study compiled by Monday by a team of researchers at the University of Tokyo's Earthquake Research Institute.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/23/20120123p2g00m0dm121000c.html

Ishinomaki education board admits partial fault in tsunami deaths of elementary students

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi -- The Ishinomaki Municipal Board of Education admitted partial responsibility for the failed evacuation of a school on March 11, 2011, where 74 elementary students and 10 teachers died or are still officially missing from the tsunami.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/23/20120123p2a00m0na006000c.html and teachers are victims

__________________________________________________________
Jiji press

Minehisa to Be Top Bureaucrat at Japan Reconstruction Agency

Tokyo, Jan. 23 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government plans to name Yukiyoshi Minehisa, former vice land, transport and infrastructure minister, as the first vice minister of its new postdisaster reconstruction agency, informed sources said.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012300089

Japan Top Biz Lobby Against Regular Wage Hike

Tokyo, Jan. 23 (Jiji Press)--The Japan Business Federation on Monday suggested its plan to freeze a seniority-based regular wage hike in this year's "shunto" spring wage talks.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012300615

Japan to Set Up Reconstruction Agency on Feb. 10

Tokyo, Jan. 23 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government's postdisaster reconstruction headquarters decided Monday to set up a new agency to be in charge of reconstruction from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami on Feb. 10.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012300767
__________________________________________________________
Sankei news

Okawa school

tsunami and tide carried the boat to Hyogo pref
1200km journey

____________________________________________________________
JMA

07:52 JST 23 Jan 2012 38.7N 141.9E 50 km M4.1 Miyagi-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120123075530391-230752.html

22:43 JST 23 Jan 2012 37.9N 142.0E 40 km M4.0 Miyagi-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120123224730391-232243.html

makoto · Jan 24, 2012

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

Yomiuri online

70% chance of big Tokyo earthquake 'within 4 yrs'

There is a 70 percent probability the Tokyo metropolitan area will be hit directly by a strong earthquake of magnitude-7 level within four years, according to data compiled by a University of Tokyo research team.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/science/T120123004717.htm

Local specialty heartens tsunami victims

OTSUCHI, Iwate--A confectionery shop has reopened in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, with its speciality "sake monaka," salmon-shaped wafers filled with sweet bean paste, delighting local residents.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120123003627.htm

School says it's responsible for deaths / Principal admits failure to protect 84 people killed, missing in March 11 disaster

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi--The Ishinomaki municipal board of education and the principal at Okawa Primary School in the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, have admitted responsibility for events that led to the deaths of up to 84 people killed by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120123004098.htm
________________________________________________________
AJW

Academics: Major Tokyo quake more likely than govt says

A major earthquake is far more likely to hit Tokyo in the next few years than the government predicts, researchers at the University of Tokyo said on Jan. 23, warning companies and individuals to be prepared for such an event.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201201240009

New system sends divers tsunami alert

Diving equipment maker Zero Co. has developed an underwater tsunami alert system to help keep divers safe.

An underwater tsunami alert system developed by Zero Co. informs divers when a tsunami alert is issued. (Hiroyuki Kobayashi)
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/quake_tsunami/AJ201201240003
____________________________________________________
Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Kansai airport posts sharpest-ever fall in foreign visitors in 2011

OSAKA (Kyodo) -- The number of foreign visitors to Japan through the Kansai International Airport in 2011 posted the steepest-ever fall of 22 percent to 2,734,196, due to the higher yen and the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that ravaged a wide area of northeastern Japan and triggered a nuclear crisis, Kansai International Airport Co. said in a preliminary report Monday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/travel/archive/news/2012/20120124p2g00m0dm102000c.html

Olympics: 65% support for Tokyo's 2020 bid: poll

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The 2020 Tokyo Olympic bid committee said Monday its recent poll found that 65.7 percent of people nationwide and 65.2 percent of people in Tokyo support the capital's bid to host the Summer Olympics that year.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/sports/archive/news/2012/01/24/20120124p2g00m0sp118000c.html

British couple travel across Japan to help bring back tourists

KANAZAWA, Japan (Kyodo) -- While tourism in Japan has been sluggish amid safety concern in the wake of the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster and the subsequent nuclear crisis, a British couple recently completed a 100-day tour of all 47 prefectures in Japan to help bring foreign tourists back to the country.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/24/20120124p2g00m0dm001000c.html

Noda vows to end indecisive politics, realize sales tax hike

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/24/20120124p2g00m0dm076000c.html
______________________________________________________________
Jiji press

Japan FY 2012 Budget Totals 228 T. Yen

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012400665
_____________________________________________________________
JMA

09:26 JST 24 Jan 2012 40.2N 142.5E 30 km M4.7 Iwate-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/2/20120124093123391-240926.html

makoto · Jan 25, 2012

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

Japan posts 1st annual trade deficit in 31 years

Japan posted its first trade deficit in 31 years in 2011 due largely to the impact of the March earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear plant accident.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 09:53 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120125_13.html

Academy Award nominations announced

....."The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom," directed by Britain's Lucy Walker, received a nomination in the documentary short segment.
The film depicts recovery efforts in areas hit by the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan last year. Walker shot the film immediately after the disaster.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 10:23 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120125_12.html

Annual wage negotiations kick off

.....Yonekura called for thorough discussions between management and labor to create and maintain domestic jobs in a business environment made increasingly harsh by the March 11th disaster and the strong yen.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 15:37 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120125_24.html
___________________________________________________________________________________
Yomiuri online

Girl shares disaster memories through diary

MINAMI-SANRIKU, Miyagi--"At 2:46 p.m., March 11, I was in the middle of my fifth lesson at school."

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120124005279.htm
____________________________________________________________
AJW

Niigata quake boy gives thought to disaster victims

Seven years after his rescue from near his family's buried car following a major earthquake in Niigate Prefecture touched the world, Yuta Minagawa has grown into a treasure for his grandparents.

Yuta Minagawa is rescued from a space near a car buried in a landslide in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, in October 2004 after the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/life_and_death/AJ201201250001
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Director Lucy Walker's documentary about March 11 tsunami nominated for Academy Award

LOS ANGELES -- A documentary film about Japan's March 11 tsunami disaster titled "The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom," by British director Lucy Walker, has been nominated along with four other films for the 84th Academy Awards' Documentary Short Subject category.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/arts/archive/news/2012/01/20120125p2a00m0et004000c.html

Quake, strong yen lead to Japan's 1st trade deficit in 31 yrs

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese economy suffered its first annual trade deficit in 31 years in 2011 amid slowing exports, affected by the March earthquake and tsunami, the stronger yen, and a gloomier outlook for the world economy as a result of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe, the government said Wednesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/archive/news/2012/01/25/20120125p2g00m0bu134000c.html

Mural made by Ishinomaki children to be installed at Tokyo Station

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi -- Children in this quake and tsunami-stricken city have begun working on a colorful mural that will be installed at Tokyo Station shortly after the first anniversary of the March 11 disasters.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/25/20120125p2a00m0na008000c.html

Remains of child tsunami victim identified and returned to family

The remains of a five-year-old boy who died in the March 11 tsunami have been identified and were returned to surviving relatives on Jan. 24.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/25/20120125p2a00m0na018000c.html
___________________________________________________________
Jiji press

Japan Logs 1st Annual Trade Deficit in 31 Years

Tokyo, Jan. 25 (Jiji Press)--Japan fell into a trade deficit for the first time in 31 years in 2011, battered by the March 11 disaster, the yen's strengthening and higher fuel costs, Finance Ministry data showed Wednesday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012500125

makoto · Jan 26, 2012

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

Ken Watanabe appeals for importance of human bonds

Japanese actor Ken Watanabe has told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland how he learned the importance of human bonds from the survivors of last year's disaster.

Thursday, January 26, 2012 07:55 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120126_08.html

Japan's box-office revenues fall in 2011

Revenues at cinemas across Japan plunged last year as people shunned movies following the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeast in March.

Thursday, January 26, 2012 21:02 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120126_36.html

Louvre Museum exhibition to be held in Tohoku

France's Louvre Museum will hold a traveling exhibition in disaster-hit prefectures in northeastern Japan from April.

Thursday, January 26, 2012 20:01 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120126_33.html
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Yomiuri online

CO2 emissions traded to help Tohoku region

Firms that emit greenhouse gases but also want to help revitalize business in the Tohoku region following the Great East Japan Earthquake are being drawn to participate in a carbon dioxide offset trading scheme.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120125006417.htm
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AJW

about 310 years old house at Minamisanriku town, Miyagi pref
<iframe width="300" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/evRLAKja-kA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Professor cites Aomori coast as possible tsunami source

At least three seismic source areas may have been generating magnitude-9 class temblors about once a millennium off eastern Japan between Hokkaido and Ibaraki Prefecture, new research suggests.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/analysis/AJ201201260059
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Mainichi jp(Kyodo, AP)

Actor Watanabe sees Japan recovering from disaster on strong bonds

DAVOS (Kyodo) -- Japanese actor Ken Watanabe on Wednesday told an international forum that Japan is gradually recovering from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, finding a ray of hope in the strong bonds formed between people in the wake of the devastating disasters in northeastern Japan.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/arts/archive/news/2012/01/20120126p2g00m0et165000c.html

M5.1 quake jolts Miyagi Pref., no tsunami warning issued

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 jolted Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan early Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, issuing no tsunami warning.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/26/20120126p2g00m0dm032000c.html

At least 7 M9 level quakes hit Japan over past 3,500 yrs: study

OSAKA (Kyodo) -- At least seven magnitude 9 level earthquakes have occurred in the Pacific Ocean along Japan from Hokkaido to the Sanriku region over the past 3,500 years, causing huge tsunami waves to hit coastal areas, a study by a Hokkaido University professor showed Wednesday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/archive/news/2012/01/26/20120126p2g00m0dm042000c.html
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Jiji press

Asiana Air to Resume Daily Sendai-Seoul Services

Tokyo, Jan. 26 (Jiji Press)--South Korea's Asiana Airlines plans to bring back in May the number of regular flights between Seoul and Miyagi Prefecture's Sendai to the pre-March disaster level of seven per week, informed sources said Thursday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2012012600423

Japanese Actor Watanabe Hopes to Spread "Kizuna" Globally

Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 25 (Jiji Press)--Japanese actor Ken Watanabe called Wednesday for spreading globally "kizuna," or strong bonds, which he said he witnessed in people affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012600191

(Update) Japan Corporate Service Prices Hit New Record Low in 2011

Tokyo, Jan. 26 (Jiji Press)--Japan's corporate service prices hit a new record low in 2011 due in part to an office rent drop, the Bank of Japan said in a preliminary report Thursday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012600268

Narita Airport 2011 Traffic Down for 1st Time in 2 Yrs

Tokyo, Jan. 26 (Jiji Press)--The number of travelers using Narita International Airport near Tokyo fell 17 pct in 2011 from the previous year to 28,068,714, the first decline in two years, the airport's operator said Thursday.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012600585

Tokyo Tower's Top to be Repaired

Tokyo, Jan. 26 (Jiji Press)--Nippon Television City Corp., the owner of Tokyo Tower, said Thursday it will repair the top section of the capital's iconic broadcasting tower that was bent during the March 2011 earthquake.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012600802

31 Overseas Buyers to Meet Disaster-Hit Makers of Traditional Crafts

Tokyo, Jan. 26 (Jiji Press)--The Japan External Trade Organization said Thursday it will invite 31 overseas companies to visit Japan in early February to hold talks with disaster-affected makers of traditional crafts.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012600837

Magnitude-9 Quake Focal Zone Found off Iwate Pref. Coast

Tokyo, Jan. 26 (Jiji Press)--Prof. Kazuomi Hirakawa at Hokkdaido University has identified three earthquake focal zones including one off the coast of Iwate Prefecture that could be the source of a magnitude 9-class temblor.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012012700014
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Sankei news

Okawa school

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JMA

05:43 JST 26 Jan 2012 38.2N 141.7E 50 km M5.1 Miyagi-ken Oki

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/3/20120126054744391-260543.html

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

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