10 lessons I learned from the Japanese since 3.11 (day of the earthquake):
1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.
2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.
3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.
4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.
5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.
6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?
7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.
8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.
9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.
10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly!
Let us also learn from calamities in our life to be a cause for respect and a lesson to bring out our human values!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Mar 21 - Japan 3.11 - Japanese Makes Progress at Nuclear Reactors, but Contamination Spreads
Mission! Honor! Responsibility! Japan police, firefighters and Nuclear Power Plant workers has showed selfless spirit, in order to save millions of people and they are willing to sacrifice themselves.
According to the Japanese local news, nearly 30 police officers got killed or missing in the disaster area. Also, the authorities has confirmed that at least 6 workers in "Fukushima 50 heroes" infected high concentration of carcinogenic.
The firefighter commander who tried very hard to cool down the reactor yesterday and he expressed that in press conference with his tears and said in order to complete this task and save Japan, he feel very sorry to his family, he also feel sorry and appreciation for all the firefighters left behind their family.
Fukshima nuclear power plant release high levels of radiation after explosion. In order to protect the life for all the people working there, including power plant worker, Self-Defense Forces, Police and firefighters. Authorities decided use "Robot" get into dangerous zone of the nuclear power plants to check the radiation level, remove debris and taking relief duty in high level radiation area.
According to the Japanese local news, nearly 30 police officers got killed or missing in the disaster area. Also, the authorities has confirmed that at least 6 workers in "Fukushima 50 heroes" infected high concentration of carcinogenic.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Mar 19-20 - Japan 3.11 - Nuclear plant and Surviors news update
4 key factors will determine the nuclear disaster destiny
The nuclear crisis triggered by earthquake and tsunami has been going on for nearly a week. Nuclear experts point out that it is simple but not easy to resolve this crisis, if government wants make it under control which will be determine on four factors: time, power, water and manpower co-ordination.
Good News in Nuclear Plant
The operator of Japan's crippled, leaking nuclear plant says two of the six reactor units are now safely under control after their fuel storage pools cooled down.
Tokyo Electric Power Company declared Units 5 and 6 safe Sunday night after days of pumping water into the reactors pool brought temperatures down.
Food fears spread amid progress at nuclear plant
Chiyoko Kaizuka, 83-year old farmer, stands at her spinach field Sunday, March 20, 2011 in Moriya, Ibaragi Prefecture
Beyond the disaster area, uncertainly grew over the safety of food and water. The government halted shipments of spinach from one area and raw milk from another near the nuclear plant after tests found iodine exceeded safety limits. But the contamination spread to spinach in 3 other prefectures and to more vegetables - canola and chrysanthemum greens. Tokyo's tap water, where iodine turned up Friday, now has cesium. Rain and dust are tainted too.
In all cases, the government said the radiation levels were too small to pose an immediate risk to health. Still, Taiwan seized a batch of fava beans from Japan found with faint - and legal - amounts of iodine and cesium.
Some of the people consider as missing have been found
A Japanese soldier prayed before removing a body from rubble in the town of Otsuchi.
Rescue workers prayed over a body retrieved from the rubble in Rikuzentakata on Thursday.
Members of Japan Self-Defense Force pray for the body of a tsunami victim wrapped in a tarp in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, Sunday, March 20, 2011.
She give hug to everyone no matter you know them or not
One woman who survived from the earthquake, she gives a hug to everyone she see everyday, no matter she knows or she doesn't know. She said to all the people she hug, 'Good to see you and glad you survived like me'. Her hug is mean a lot to people specially those people who lost their family or their home.
You should run or use a bike instead of driving when Tsunami hit
At the moment of Tsunami hit, one 83 years old woman use her bike and she has successful escape by riding a bicycle to the hill. However, not everyone lucky as she is, some survivors told reporter that they saw many people ran out from one factory when the tsunami hit, most people are missing if they choose to drive, the survivors are those people who choose to run.
The nuclear crisis triggered by earthquake and tsunami has been going on for nearly a week. Nuclear experts point out that it is simple but not easy to resolve this crisis, if government wants make it under control which will be determine on four factors: time, power, water and manpower co-ordination.
Good News in Nuclear Plant
Tokyo Electric Power Company declared Units 5 and 6 safe Sunday night after days of pumping water into the reactors pool brought temperatures down.
Food fears spread amid progress at nuclear plant
Beyond the disaster area, uncertainly grew over the safety of food and water. The government halted shipments of spinach from one area and raw milk from another near the nuclear plant after tests found iodine exceeded safety limits. But the contamination spread to spinach in 3 other prefectures and to more vegetables - canola and chrysanthemum greens. Tokyo's tap water, where iodine turned up Friday, now has cesium. Rain and dust are tainted too.
In all cases, the government said the radiation levels were too small to pose an immediate risk to health. Still, Taiwan seized a batch of fava beans from Japan found with faint - and legal - amounts of iodine and cesium.
Some of the people consider as missing have been found
She give hug to everyone no matter you know them or not
You should run or use a bike instead of driving when Tsunami hit
At the moment of Tsunami hit, one 83 years old woman use her bike and she has successful escape by riding a bicycle to the hill. However, not everyone lucky as she is, some survivors told reporter that they saw many people ran out from one factory when the tsunami hit, most people are missing if they choose to drive, the survivors are those people who choose to run.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Mar 18 - Japan 3.11 - Displaced civilians in shelters need help
The troubles at the nuclear complex were set in motion by last week's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami knocked out power and destroyed backup generators needed for the reactors' cooling systems. 4 of the plant's 6 reactors have faced serious crises involving fires, explosions, damage to the structures housing reactor cores, partial meltdowns or rising temperatures in the pools used to store spent nuclear fuel.
(Sources from Yahoo News)
According to National Police Agency, the official number of dead rose to 5,692 while the official number of missing increased to 9,522 and a total of 2,409 people were injured.
(Sources from Yahoo News)
According to National Police Agency, the official number of dead rose to 5,692 while the official number of missing increased to 9,522 and a total of 2,409 people were injured.
Nearly a week after the disaster, more than 452,000 people were evacuated, as supplies of fuel, medicine and other necessities ran short. Both victims and aid workers appealed for more help. The media has reported 2, 546 evacuation shelters for the displaced civilians.
Displaced civilians in shelters need food, water, water tanks, blankets, toilet paper, mattresses, tents, communication tools, clothing, diapers for baby and a safe place to stay once the radiation spread.
Power, gas, and water continue to be limited throughout the Tohoku region and provision and transport of food and water sources are challenging due to road access and availability of petrol.
(Sources from yahoo news, google news, BBC News, WHO, www.bangkokpost.com, www.france24.com/, www.channelnewsasia.com/)
Japan government have asked UN assist them to co-ordinate all Aids teams from different countries and bring them together in order to make sure the work will not overlap, also government requested UN to find out the gap in term of fulfilling survivors needed in shelters. And World Vision has delivered blanket to shelters for keep babies warm.
Japan government have asked UN assist them to co-ordinate all Aids teams from different countries and bring them together in order to make sure the work will not overlap, also government requested UN to find out the gap in term of fulfilling survivors needed in shelters. And World Vision has delivered blanket to shelters for keep babies warm.
(Sources from World Vision, www.pbs.org)
People Health Status in Shelters
- At least 27 people reported to have died at the evacuation sites.
- Deaths were said to be related to weakened physical state due to the conditions of evacuation centers and hypothermia.
- Cases of influenza and gastrointestinal infection have been reported at various evacuation centers including those in Kamaishi and Iwate.
- Control measures include encouraging wearing of face masks for people with respiratory illness, use of alcohol disinfectants, and fluid intake increase.
- The availability of masks and alcohol disinfectants is limited.
- Many elderly persons have lost their daily medications.
Transportation Update
- Haneda airport and Narita International airport reopened on 12 March.
- Fukushima airport remains closed. Misawa, Ibaraki, Oodatenoshiro and Sado airports are operational.
- Hanamaki airport has stopped regular services but a temporary service is in operation.
- Sendai airport has commenced operation for 24-hour rescue helicopters only.
- Yamagata,Hanamaki and Fukushima airports are open 24 hours for rescue operations. Several ports have reopened.
- A hospital in Fukushima has been designated for responding to persons potentially exposed to radiation.
- 23 of 34 designated disaster hospitals in Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate are operating.
- 126 of the 141 hospitals designated for acute disaster emergencies are fully operational in Tokyo and Tohoku
- 1 of 7 hospitals in Sendai is operational.
- According to various media sources, hospitals in Japan are reporting challenges with limited power, scarcity of medicines and lack of other resources.
(Sources from WHO)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Mar 17 - Japan 3.11 - The next crtical 48 hours
In order to avoid the stunning nuclear disaster, Japanese have only 48 hours to stop Fukushima nuclear plant become next Chemoby disaster. Yesterday, Japan government assigned helicopters and water artillery fire to sprinkle water in terms of cool down the overheating of the reactor pool, however, the effect is small.
The first good news come out early of this morning, outside of nuclear power plant have successfully connect electricity, it means they can start the reactor cooling system as far as today.
The 50 heroes remain in Fukushima could die within 2 weeks
"It is our mission! "
They already say bye to their family before they go back to Nuclear plant.
In fact, in the beginning Tokyo Electric Power only request 20 volunteers to help and cool down the overheated reactor. However, the number of volunteers is increasing from the initial 50, then 73, then until yesterday, they have 180 volunteers willing to go to unclear plant and work.
Survivor in Fukushima felt themselves like abandoned orphans
Shelters in Fukushima are too close to Nuclear plant, People from other town are worry about the radiation, at this moment, no one willing to get close and give help, the truck driver refused deliver food and water to there. Specially, the elderly, the sick people or the person doesn't have gasoline, they are incapable to leave town. Those survivor feel themselves are waiting to die.
Many NGOs still stay far away from Fukushima, most of them still assess the risk from radiation in Fukushima, those organizations want to help survivor but they have to concern their staffs safety first.
Have 15 people death after disaster because of cold weather and lack of daily medication
After earthquake, lack of power supply, daily medication supply and food, for the first time there came news of the death victims in shelters. In Iwate Prefecture, one old lady death because of deteriorating health condition. In Fuksuhima Prefecture, 14 elderly death because they cannot survive in this cold weather.
Many people try to survive and they had to find wood to burn and search for canned foods in the ruins.
4 days repaired broken Highway
This highway located at one of earthquake most serious hit area - northern Miyagi Prefecture, the road have crack with a big gap, one side has dropped about 45.7 cm and no car can get through at this highway, Japanese only use 4 days to repair this highway and it can use it again now.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Mar 16 - Japan 3.11 - This disaster can be worst?
311 earthquake in Japan triggered a tsunami, but also trigger a nuclear disaster, it may be unprecedented.
According to the news, the first 4 reactors in Fukushima nuclear power plant, their reactor cores have meltdown, the other two have smoke or fire. Nuclear power plant release high concentration of radiation which is 6,600 times higher than normal, and also 1st time recorded the fission of neutron radiation. Japan government has canceled use large amount of boric acid to help cool down the reactor.
Fukushima nuclear power plant near out of control, the six reactors are all have problems, number 3 reactor is worst because the 2nd layer of shell may have been damaged. Self-Defense Force helicopters tried sprinkling boric acid and water to cool down the reactor but failed. French and Russian officials are referring to near-disaster phase of a nuclear accident in Fukushima. However, the last 50 workers still stay there, they haven't give up and they still trying to fix the problem.
Emperor Akihito finally come out and give message to Japanese through nationwide television channel, he said "Be strong and survive".
Sendai City is snowing, rescue teams are looking for survivors.
Fukushima nuclear power plant reactor explosion, the nuclear power plant erupted into the air, radioactive materials may have contaminated local food and water. Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, United Kingdom (VAAC) to Japan, China, the United States, South Korea and Russia issued a fallout hazard warning airspace.
In Miyagi Prefecture Ishinomaki City, 2 little kids lost their home and they have to leave the place they grow up. They sit on the train track and taking rest.
Japan earthquake can not stop
Shizuoka have a magnitude 6.4 earthquake last night, at least 6 people were injured. This quake more likely to trigger the eruption of Mount Fuji. Yesterday, Chiba Prefecture have a magnitude 6 earthquake , around nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture also recorded 5.6 earthquake.
Japan Science and Disaster Prevention Research Institute said, Japan has entered the active phase of the earthquake. Professor Gu Lu expressed that the earthquake happened last night at the area of Shizuoka is not active earthquake area but near the epicenter of Mount Fuji, it means that the quake will stimulated Mount Fuji's volcanic activity, plus the mountain have low-frequency earthquakes in past ten years, 3.11 earthquake and the following quakes after that may trigger the eruption of Mount Fuji.
Mount Fuji have more than 300 years without eruption.
In Tokyo
The nuclear radiation almost spread to Tokyo, however many Japanese still devoted to their duty and stick with their position, office workers go to work as usual.
According to the news, the first 4 reactors in Fukushima nuclear power plant, their reactor cores have meltdown, the other two have smoke or fire. Nuclear power plant release high concentration of radiation which is 6,600 times higher than normal, and also 1st time recorded the fission of neutron radiation. Japan government has canceled use large amount of boric acid to help cool down the reactor.
Fukushima nuclear power plant near out of control, the six reactors are all have problems, number 3 reactor is worst because the 2nd layer of shell may have been damaged. Self-Defense Force helicopters tried sprinkling boric acid and water to cool down the reactor but failed. French and Russian officials are referring to near-disaster phase of a nuclear accident in Fukushima. However, the last 50 workers still stay there, they haven't give up and they still trying to fix the problem.
Fukushima nuclear power plant reactor explosion, the nuclear power plant erupted into the air, radioactive materials may have contaminated local food and water. Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, United Kingdom (VAAC) to Japan, China, the United States, South Korea and Russia issued a fallout hazard warning airspace.
Japan earthquake can not stop
Shizuoka have a magnitude 6.4 earthquake last night, at least 6 people were injured. This quake more likely to trigger the eruption of Mount Fuji. Yesterday, Chiba Prefecture have a magnitude 6 earthquake , around nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture also recorded 5.6 earthquake.
Japan Science and Disaster Prevention Research Institute said, Japan has entered the active phase of the earthquake. Professor Gu Lu expressed that the earthquake happened last night at the area of Shizuoka is not active earthquake area but near the epicenter of Mount Fuji, it means that the quake will stimulated Mount Fuji's volcanic activity, plus the mountain have low-frequency earthquakes in past ten years, 3.11 earthquake and the following quakes after that may trigger the eruption of Mount Fuji.
Mount Fuji have more than 300 years without eruption.
In Tokyo
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Mar 15 - Japan 3.11 - Large spread of nuclear radiation
Japanese nuclear disaster, spread all around Japan and affect other countries around.
Nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture is first hit by 3.11 earthquake, following the reactor number 1 to 4 explosion in last few days, the reactor number 5 and 6 cooling system start not functioning.
The radiation level around nuclear plant has rapidly raisen to around 200 years in normal inhalation volume (similar to 8,000 times X-rays). 250 km more blown radioactive dust outside Tokyo, Government detected the local radiation exceeded 20 times at that area.
If No. 2 reactor core have been meltdown, this might lead to tens of thousands of cancer death by this a silent, colorless, odorless, tasteless disaster.
If the radiation have large amount spread out, all the countries around Japan will have radiation affected, include Russia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, even the United States.
Assessment of radiation leakage damage to the environment mainly depends on wind direction.
The amount of radiation has reached harmful level to human standards, The SDF team who help evacuate residents of Fukushima need to urgently withdrawal from that area too.
How radiation infection effects on the body:
• Every year about 2.2 mSv of radiation exposure to people, people will feel sick if too much radiation around them
• Prevention: to reduce the exposure time and dose of radiation, such as wearing masks or protective clothing
• Treatment: Immediately wash body and discard contaminated clothing, and take iodine pills
The following symptoms will occur in different amount of radiation exposure:
50 mSv Blood cells start changing
500 mSv Nausea (hours)
700 mSv Vomiting (hours)
750 mSv Hair loss (2 weeks)
900 mSv Diarrhea (hours)
1,000 mSv Bleeding (weeks)
4,000 mSv Likely to die (2 months)
10,000 mSv Intestinal wall damage, internal bleeding to death (1-2 weeks)
20,000 mSv Cognitive impairment, convulsions and death (hours)
Around Fukushima nuclear power plant have northeast wind and wind direction is going to inland yesterday. Also, wind speed will increase today, the Meteorological Agency estimated the winds will keep 3-5 meters per second and going to south direction. But the wind direction could change at any time, so that the impact of this nuclear disaster is difficult to estimate. Yesterday, the Russian detected radiation raised in Vladivostok and Sakhalin.
After chain of Fukushima nuclear explosion, the residents try to go to south, forming a long queues on highway.
Japan has suffered earthquakes, tsunamis and the nuclear disaster triple attack, the disaster ridden, but experts predict Japan might have another high scale of magnitude 8 earthquake and tsunami hit, if the forecast is come true, Japan might need to face more serious problem.
Shizuoka have magnitude 6 earthquake last night.
South Korea also threaten by nuclear crisis. Yesterday, students in school put on gas masks and prepare for unexpected threats in crisis rehearsal.
Nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture is first hit by 3.11 earthquake, following the reactor number 1 to 4 explosion in last few days, the reactor number 5 and 6 cooling system start not functioning.
The radiation level around nuclear plant has rapidly raisen to around 200 years in normal inhalation volume (similar to 8,000 times X-rays). 250 km more blown radioactive dust outside Tokyo, Government detected the local radiation exceeded 20 times at that area.
If No. 2 reactor core have been meltdown, this might lead to tens of thousands of cancer death by this a silent, colorless, odorless, tasteless disaster.
If the radiation have large amount spread out, all the countries around Japan will have radiation affected, include Russia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, even the United States.
Assessment of radiation leakage damage to the environment mainly depends on wind direction.
How radiation infection effects on the body:
• Every year about 2.2 mSv of radiation exposure to people, people will feel sick if too much radiation around them
• Prevention: to reduce the exposure time and dose of radiation, such as wearing masks or protective clothing
• Treatment: Immediately wash body and discard contaminated clothing, and take iodine pills
The following symptoms will occur in different amount of radiation exposure:
50 mSv Blood cells start changing
500 mSv Nausea (hours)
700 mSv Vomiting (hours)
750 mSv Hair loss (2 weeks)
900 mSv Diarrhea (hours)
1,000 mSv Bleeding (weeks)
4,000 mSv Likely to die (2 months)
10,000 mSv Intestinal wall damage, internal bleeding to death (1-2 weeks)
20,000 mSv Cognitive impairment, convulsions and death (hours)
Around Fukushima nuclear power plant have northeast wind and wind direction is going to inland yesterday. Also, wind speed will increase today, the Meteorological Agency estimated the winds will keep 3-5 meters per second and going to south direction. But the wind direction could change at any time, so that the impact of this nuclear disaster is difficult to estimate. Yesterday, the Russian detected radiation raised in Vladivostok and Sakhalin.
After chain of Fukushima nuclear explosion, the residents try to go to south, forming a long queues on highway.
Japan has suffered earthquakes, tsunamis and the nuclear disaster triple attack, the disaster ridden, but experts predict Japan might have another high scale of magnitude 8 earthquake and tsunami hit, if the forecast is come true, Japan might need to face more serious problem.
Shizuoka have magnitude 6 earthquake last night.
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