Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 9:59 pm Post subject:
Japan struck by 6.3 earthquake
A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit western Japan early on Saturday, injuring at least 24 people and destroying some houses, officials and reports said.
Japan's meteorological agency, which earlier reported the quake was measured at magnitude 6.0, revised the seismic reading to magnitude 6.3. There was no risk of a tsunami, it said.
The quake struck at 5:33 am (2033 GMT on Friday) near Awaji island in the Seto Inland Sea southwest of the city of Kobe, the agency said, also revising the depth of the focus at 15 kilometres (9.3 miles).
The US Geological Survey also measured the tremor at 6.0 but at an even shallower depth of five kilometres.
It was the biggest earthquake to hit western Hyogo prefecture since 1995, when a 7.2-magnitude quake destroyed its port city of Kobe and killed more than 6,000 people.
But the damage was limited on Saturday, the National Police Agency said, although at least 24 people were injured.
A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit western Japan early on Saturday, injuring at least 24 people and destroying some houses, officials and reports said.
Japan's meteorological agency, which earlier reported the quake was measured at magnitude 6.0, revised the seismic reading to magnitude 6.3. There was no risk of a tsunami, it said.
The quake struck at 5:33 am (2033 GMT on Friday) near Awaji island in the Seto Inland Sea southwest of the city of Kobe, the agency said, also revising the depth of the focus at 15 kilometres (9.3 miles).
The US Geological Survey also measured the tremor at 6.0 but at an even shallower depth of five kilometres.
It was the biggest earthquake to hit western Hyogo prefecture since 1995, when a 7.2-magnitude quake destroyed its port city of Kobe and killed more than 6,000 people.
But the damage was limited on Saturday, the National Police Agency said, although at least 24 people were injured.
Yikes, I was just there. On Thursday afternoon (Japan time), I traveled across Awaji Island from Naruto over to Kobe. Had dinner in Kobe, spent the night at the Nikko Kansai Airport Hotel, and flew home late Friday afternoon after spending the morning in Osaka.
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 12:39 am Post subject:
80 year old Japanese man becomes oldest man to conquer Everest
Kathmandu, Nepal (CNN) -- An 80-year-old Japanese man on Thursday became the oldest person to reach the top of Mt. Everest, officials said.
Yuichiro Miura reached the top of Everest Thursday morning with his physician son Gota, mountaineering official Gyanendra Shrestha said from the base of Everest.
Miura's achievement eclipses that of a Nepali man who climbed Everest at age 76 in 2008.
The oldest woman to climb Everest is also a Japanese. She was 73 when she reached the top last year.
Miura broke his hip in an accident two years ago, and he underwent heart surgery in January.
"I am still healthy and strong. I think I have a good chance to reach the summit of Everest," he said via phone earlier this month.
To prepare, Miura walked three times a week with loads of 25 to 30 kilograms (55 to 66 lbs) on his back.
He reached the top of the 8,848-meter (29,035-foot) peak twice before: in 2003 at age 70, and in 2008 at age 75.
"I have a dream to climb Everest at this age," he said. "If you have a dream, never give up. Dreams come true."
80 year old Japanese man becomes oldest man to conquer Everest
Kathmandu, Nepal (CNN) -- An 80-year-old Japanese man on Thursday became the oldest person to reach the top of Mt. Everest, officials said.
Yuichiro Miura reached the top of Everest Thursday morning with his physician son Gota, mountaineering official Gyanendra Shrestha said from the base of Everest.
Miura's achievement eclipses that of a Nepali man who climbed Everest at age 76 in 2008.
The oldest woman to climb Everest is also a Japanese. She was 73 when she reached the top last year.
Miura broke his hip in an accident two years ago, and he underwent heart surgery in January.
"I am still healthy and strong. I think I have a good chance to reach the summit of Everest," he said via phone earlier this month.
To prepare, Miura walked three times a week with loads of 25 to 30 kilograms (55 to 66 lbs) on his back.
He reached the top of the 8,848-meter (29,035-foot) peak twice before: in 2003 at age 70, and in 2008 at age 75.
"I have a dream to climb Everest at this age," he said. "If you have a dream, never give up. Dreams come true."
Ganbatte ojiisan!!
In my visits to Japan, one very noticeable thing was seeing a plethora of elderly people walking up steep hills and mountains where many temples and shrines and hot springs and inns are located.
Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 2061 Location: Melbourne Country:
Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:32 pm Post subject:
World's oldest man Jiroemon Kimura dies at 116 after life which spanned three centuries
The world's oldest person, whose life spanned three centuries, has died of natural causes aged 116.
Japan's Jiroemon Kimura, who was born in 1897, died in hospital early Wednesday morning, Kyodo News cited the local government as saying.
Mr Kimura, from Kyotango in Kyoto Prefecture, was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person in December 2012 when a woman from the United States died at the age of 115.
On the 28th day of that month he broke another record, when he became the oldest man ever verified to have lived when he reached the age of 115 years and 253 days.
However, he was well off the all-time record set by French woman Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at the age of 122, making her the longest living person in history.
Mr Kimura, who was born the same year as American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, celebrated his 116th birthday in April, receiving a pre-recorded video greeting from Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe.
The centenarian had seven children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grand children and 14 great-great grandchildren, and worked at a post office for about 40 years.
After retiring he took up farming, which he continued to do until the age of 90.
Encouraged by Kimura and 94 other people in Kyotango's 60,000-strong population who will this year be 100 years old or more, the city has launched a research project to examine their diets and find the secrets of their longevity.
Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 331 Location: United States, usually. Sometimes Japan.
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:05 am Post subject:
xploring wrote:
Encouraged by Kimura and 94 other people in Kyotango's 60,000-strong population who will this year be 100 years old or more, the city has launched a research project to examine their diets and find the secrets of their longevity.
Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 2061 Location: Melbourne Country:
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 8:11 pm Post subject:
Japan has launched a cargo-carrying rocket loaded with supplies for the crew of the International Space Station, along with a small robot meant as a companion for one of the country's astronauts.
The H-2B rocket blasted off on Sunday from the southern island of Tanegashima at 04:48 am local time (1948 GMT Saturday).
According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) the launch had gone to plan.
"The HTV4 module has separated from the rocket as scheduled and continues its journey to the ISS," a JAXA spokesperson said during a broadcast streamed over the internet.
"Information on its progress will be given later, as and when," the spokesperson added of the module which is due to dock at the station on August 9.
The unmanned rocket carried a cargo transporter filled with drinking water, food, clothing and work supplies for the six permanent ISS crew.
The annual mission, which has previously been completed by countries including the United States and Russia, will also pick up waste from the space centre.
A small talking robot accompanied the mission. The android is designed to act as a chatting companion for astronaut Koichi Wakata, who is set to arrive at the space station later this year.
'Giant leap for robots'
Standing at just 34 centimetres tall and weighing about one kilogram, Kirobo is programmed to communicate in Japanese and keep records of its conversations with Wakata, the first Japanese astronaut to command the ISS.
"Kirobo will remember Mr Wakata's face so it can recognise him when they reunite up in space," its creator Tomotaka Takahashi told AFP.
"He will be the first robot to visit the space station."
The robot, which has a wide range of physical motion, will also play a role in some missions, relaying messages from the control room to the astronaut.
Sending the android to space is part of a study aimed at seeing how a non-human companion can provide emotional support for people isolated over long periods.
Back on earth, twin robot Mirata will be on the lookout for any problems encountered by its electronic counterpart, which was inspired by the legendary animation character Astro Boy.
"It's one small step for me, a giant leap for robots" Mirata said of Kirobo's journey into the stars.
In January, Japan launched two satellites from Tanegashima to strengthen its surveillance capabilities, including keeping a close eye on North Korea after it vowed to launch another nuclear test.
One of them was a radar-equipped unit to complete a system of surveillance satellites that would allow Tokyo to monitor any place in the world at least once a day.
The other was a demonstration satellite to collect data for research and development.
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:48 pm Post subject:
Sakurajima volcano erupts coating town in ash
TOKYO, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Mount Sakurajima volcano in southwestern Japan sprang to life Sunday with a powerful eruption that sent volcanic ash tens of thousands of feet into the air.
The activity was so powerful the city of Kagoshima on Kyushu Island, about 5 miles from the volcano, remained coated with ash, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Residents in the city were forced to wear masks because of the ash.
Kyodo News reported the eruption began about 4:30 p.m. local time. Besides ash, which reached a height of up to 5,000 meters or more than 16,400 feet, the volcano also tossed out large rocks. The report said a lava flow of more than a half mile in length also was observed.
There were no reports of injuries.
In Kagoshima, train operators halted service temporarily to remove ash and rocks from the railroad tracks.
Meteorologists said the ash plume was the highest from the volcano's Showa vent since it became active in June 2006.
Experts did not rule out similar eruptions in the future
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:31 pm Post subject:
I guess that's why they're called "spike heels"
Ikimongakari's Hotaka Yamashita breaks toe
On September 1st, it was reported that Ikimonogakari's guitarist Yamashita Hotaka has broken his toe. This was revealed by leader Mizuno Yoshiki via Twitter.
Mizuno wrote, "Yamashita-kun's toe is broken. He can stand, he can walk, he can participate in lives." Regarding the reason for the broken toe, he revealed, "It seems he was stepped on by a woman in heels at Shibuya's scramble crossing."
Ikimonogakari kicked off their nationwide tour in Fukui on the same day.
Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 2061 Location: Melbourne Country:
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 8:16 pm Post subject:
A Maori woman has been barred from a public bath in Japan because her traditional face tattoos fell foul of rules intended to keep mobsters away, she says.
New Zealander Erana Te Haeata Brewerton, who was attending an academic meeting on indigenous languages, said she was refused entry to the bath in Eniwa, northern Hokkaido because of the spa's ban on people with body art.
"I'm not used to being treated like that," she said.
Ms Brewerton said Maori people have facial "ta moko" tattoos because they "tell people who the person is and where they are from. My moko tells other Maori people which tribe I am from," she said.
In Japan, tattoos are associated with yakuza organised crime syndicates, and many public institutions bar people who have them as a way to keep gangsters out.
The 60-year-old was singled out and told she would not be allowed to bathe because of the tattoo on her lips and chin.
"We protested, saying the tattoo was not anything anti-social and that only respected people are allowed to wear them in her culture," said Kenji Sekine, an Ainu language lecturer.
An official from the public bath told Kyodo news agency the decision had been made to avoid making other guests uncomfortable.
"Even if it is traditional culture, a typical person cannot judge the context behind the tattoos," the official said, according to Kyodo.
The episode on Sunday came just hours after Japan was awarded the rights to host the 2020 Olympics and as the government readied a campaign to make the capital more welcoming to foreigners.
Relatively few Japanese sport tattoos and many are surprised by their prevalence in Western nations.
Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 2061 Location: Melbourne Country:
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:09 pm Post subject:
Japan has begun switching off its last operating nuclear reactor for an inspection, with no date scheduled for a restart amid strong public hostility towards atomic power.
The move will leave the world's third largest economy without atomic energy for the second time since the Fukushima nuclear crisis erupted in March 2011.
Nuclear power supplied about one-third of the resource-poor nation's electricity before a tsunami knocked out cooling systems and sparked meltdowns at Fukushima, causing tens of thousands to flee their homes.
Prime minister Shinzo Abe has openly supported a return to the widespread use of atomic energy, but the public remains largely opposed on safety grounds.
On Sunday, Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO) gradually started to take offline the No. 4 reactor at its Oi nuclear plant in the western prefecture of Fukui.
"The work started at 4:.40pm. The reactor will come to a complete stop early [on Monday]," a company spokesman said.
Japan previously was without any nuclear energy in May 2012, when all of the country's 50 commercial reactors stopped for checkups in the wake of the disaster.
Utilities were unable immediately to restart them due to public opposition.
It was the first time in more than four decades that Japan had been without nuclear power.
Government officials and utilities voiced concern at the time that Japan could face major blackouts without nuclear power, particularly in the western region that relied heavily on nuclear energy.
Their fears proved unfounded but the government last year gave Kansai Electric approval to restart No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at the Oi plant, arguing that nuclear energy was necessary to meet increased electricity demand during the winter.
The reactors were reactivated in July 2012 and resumed full commercial operation the following month, but the No. 3 reactor was shut down earlier this month for a scheduled inspection. The nation's other reactors have remained idle.
Utilities this summer have submitted applications to restart their reactors with the Nuclear Regulation Authority, which has significantly upgraded safety standards since the Fukushima crisis.
The central government and utilities will seek the consent of local governments and communities hosting nuclear plants before any future restarts.
The No. 3 reactor at the Ikata nuclear plant in Ehime prefecture in the south-western Shikoku region may come back online early next year, the Sankei Shimbun newspaper said.
The Asahi Shimbun meanwhile said the reactor at Ikata might resume operation in "the coming winter".
Anti-nuclear campaigner Greenpeace Japan said the country must seize the opportunity of being without nuclear power to focus on promoting renewable energy.
"Having zero running nuclear reactors is proof that we do not need nuclear plants," Junichi Sato, executive director of the environmental group in Japan, said in a statement.
He urged the government not to rush to restart reactors and to focus on containing the ongoing atomic crisis at Fukushima, and helping those evacuated to avoid exposure to radiation.
"Going without nuclear energy for the second time is a major opportunity for Japan to become a leading nation for renewable energy," he said.
But utilities have called for the swift restart of reactors to ensure stable electricity supplies.
"In order to maintain stable supplies, we believe it is necessary for nuclear to play its role" as a key energy source, said Makoto Yagi, chairman of the Federation of Electric Power Companies in Japan.
He is also the president of Kansai Electric.
Japan has turned to expensive fossil-fuel alternatives to fill the gap left by the shutdown of atomic plants.
Utilities have raised charges to cover increased fuel costs for thermal plants.
Radiation was spread over homes and farmland in a large area of northern Japan when the massive tsunami hit Fukushima on March 11, 2011.
No one is officially recorded as having died as a direct result of the meltdowns, but tens of thousands were evacuated and many remain so.
Some areas are expected to be uninhabitable for decades.
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 2:55 am Post subject:
Just what they don't need:
5.3 earthquake hits near Fukushima
DENVER (AP) — A 5.3-magnitude earthquake has hit the Japanese prefecture that is home to the nuclear power plant crippled in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake struck early Friday at a depth of about 13 miles (22 kilometers) under Fukushima Prefecture and about 110 miles (177 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue an alert.
The Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported that the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co., observed no abnormality in radiation or equipment after the quake.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday ordered TEPCO to scrap all six reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant and concentrate on tackling pressing issues like leaks of radioactive water.
The 2011 disaster caused three reactors to melt and damaged a fuel cooling pool at another. Officials have acknowledged that radiation-contaminated groundwater has been seeping into the Pacific Ocean since soon after the meltdowns.
Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 2061 Location: Melbourne Country:
Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:53 am Post subject:
A memo prepared by the operator of the Fukushima nuclear plant has revealed the company ignored advice about controlling ground contamination, fearing the cost would spook investors.
The site is now leaking about 300 tonnes of contaminated groundwater into the ocean every day.
...
Charles Casto, a representative of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) who was based in Tokyo from March 2011 to early 2012, said discussions about the need for a barrier to block groundwater began as early as April 2011.
"It was obvious to us that there was great deal of groundwater intrusion into the plant, and we shared that with the Japanese government," he said
"At the time, they didn't believe there was a significant amount of groundwater getting into the plant."
TEPCO has said construction of a barrier wall in the first months after the accident would have been difficult because of still-high radiation levels at the plant.
"Cost wasn't the only reason for not moving ahead," spokesman Yoshikazu Nagai said.
"The wall raised a number of technical questions that made it unclear whether it was feasible. For that reason, there was concern that it would be recognised as a liability and push the company closer to insolvency."
Tetsu Nozaki, the chairman of the Fukushima fisheries federation, said the revelations show TEPCO was acting to protect corporate interests.
"If they don't have a crisis, they can't move forward. I think that's a problem," he said.
Hiroshi Yamauchi, credited with transforming Nintendo from a family-owned Japanese business into a global video game giant, has died from pneumonia. He was 85.
Yamauchi was just 22 when he took over the family business - then a maker of playing cards - and went on to head the firm for over half a century.
It was during his tenure, in 1983, that Nintendo released a games console called the Family Computer, which laid the foundations for the modern video-game industry.
Known abroad as the Nintendo Entertainment System, the early console became an international phenomenon with the company's global success skyrocketing on the back of the legendary Super Mario series.
A string of successful game software titles followed, while the popular Game Boy hand-held console was released to popular acclaim in 1989.
Yamauchi, whose death was reported by Japanese media, was born in the ancient capital of Kyoto into a family that operated as a maker of Japanese and Western playing cards.
He was a 22-year-old student at Tokyo's Waseda University when he took over the family business in 1949.
Yamauchi started Japan's first mass production of plastic playing cards and took the company public.
After running Nintendo for 53 years, he stepped aside in 2002 as he brought in current chief Satoru Iwata.
Yamauchi was listed by Forbes magazine as Japan's richest man just five years ago, when Nintendo was flying high with the launch of the Wii and its motion-sensing controller.
His net worth at that time was estimated at $US7.8 billion.
Yamauchi bought the Seattle Mariners major league baseball team in 1992 when the franchise was struggling, although it was later taken over by Nintendo of America Inc.
He was ranked 13th on the latest Forbes Japan list released this year, with an estimated net worth of $US2.1 billion.
Yamauchi's death comes just two days after Eiji Toyoda, a member of Toyota's founding family who oversaw the automaker's global ascent and helped drive a revolutionary production process, died at the age of 100.
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