The crisis at the Yokushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is still ongoing, and Japan continues to struggle with the devastation of last week's 9.0 earthquake and tsunami. Fortunately, artists and organizations are coming together to offer their support.
Fundraisers and Relief Efforts
* Japan Cinema and CinemaFanatic are hosting a week-long blogathon to help raise money for Japan disaster relief. Would you like to participate? Visit their websites for more details. 100% of all proceeds will go to support various charities of your choosing.
There are already a lot of Studio Ghibli film essays, so I had better come up with something really good. I'll be sure to participate this weekend and add my voice to the chorus. I ask you to do the same.
* Anime and Manga Bloggers For Japan is seeking donations to two special charities, Doctors Without Borders and Shelterbox. They are also asking all bloggers to join by adding banners to their website and asking readers to participate. You can also add a "fundraiser progress" widget to your blog.
* Anime News Network has a listing of Japan earthquake relief efforts from the anime and videogame communities.
* Comics Alliance and visual artists are coming together by creating art to raise funds for relief efforts. There are some really amazing paintings and designs in this collection.
* As always, you can contribute $10 to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
Videos
* Thursday's Rachel Maddow Show, which addresses the current crisis at the Yokoshima plant. Officials are now struggling to restore power to the plant, which would revive the cooling systems and pull us back from the brink. But it's still unknown just how much damage the reactors have suffered, and radiation remains dangerously high on-site. Rachel has been fantastic (as always) in explaining the crisis every step of the way.
* Breathtaking footage of a narrow escape from a taxi to a building just as the tsunami strikes land. Several people are stranded on houses and trees, and are dramatically rescued. Broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK.
* Finally, I just had to include this cartoon from Japanese TV that explains the Yokoshima crisis with....radioactive poop. Yes, it smacks of propaganda and CYA, but it's funny as hell and deserves to become an internet meme. Thanks to the always-essential Cartoon Brew for discovering this little gem.
Showing posts with label earthquake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label earthquake. Show all posts
2011-03-19
2011-03-15
Japan's NHK World Live Feed
Free video streaming by Ustream
Here is the live feed from NHK World, Japan's public broadcasting station. This network is for the Western, English-speaking audience. Stay tuned for the latest developments from the ongoing crisis.
I would like to take this time to thank every one of you for supporting The Ghibli Blog during this crisis. I will do my best to keep this blog focused on its core mission, while offering continuing news threads when deemed necessary. Thank you so much for your patience and support.
Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Thread #4
The Ghibli Blog will be continuing to cover the tragedy in Japan. If anyone has any manga- or anime-related news from Japan that needs to be shared, please contact me.
* In the USA, Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the International Red Cross. In Canada, Text REDCROSS to 30333. Everyone please do your part to help! As always, the Reuters Live-Blog is an essential resource. It updates automatically, so stay tuned for the latest news.
* As reported in an earlier earthquake thread, the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is closed for the week, and will remain closed until further notice.
* Fukushima Daiichi reactors 1-3 have been critically damaged. Reactor #4 is now on fire (possibly a spent fuel fire) and the situation is rapidly spiraling out of control. A third explosion has now been observed. Evacuation has now been expanded up to 30km (20 miles) from the power plant.
* A No-fly zone for 30-km radius over Fukushima plant is now in effect, according to government officials.
* The New York Times has a sobering news account of the ongoing nuclear catastrophe at Fukushima:
* Police are reporting that they expect the number of fatalities in the port city of Minamisanriku to exceed 10,000. The town's total population is 17,000.
* The following videos were recorded as the tsunami struck northern Japan. I've highlighted the links before, and now I'm sharing them here on The Ghibli Blog:
* Here are some of the latest photos from Reuters in Japan:
* In the USA, Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the International Red Cross. In Canada, Text REDCROSS to 30333. Everyone please do your part to help! As always, the Reuters Live-Blog is an essential resource. It updates automatically, so stay tuned for the latest news.
* As reported in an earlier earthquake thread, the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is closed for the week, and will remain closed until further notice.
* Fukushima Daiichi reactors 1-3 have been critically damaged. Reactor #4 is now on fire (possibly a spent fuel fire) and the situation is rapidly spiraling out of control. A third explosion has now been observed. Evacuation has now been expanded up to 30km (20 miles) from the power plant.
* A No-fly zone for 30-km radius over Fukushima plant is now in effect, according to government officials.
* The New York Times has a sobering news account of the ongoing nuclear catastrophe at Fukushima:
Japan faced the likelihood of a catastrophic nuclear accident Tuesday morning, as an explosion at the most crippled of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station damaged its crucial steel containment structure, emergency workers were withdrawn from the plant, and much larger emissions of radioactive materials appeared immiment, according to official statements and industry executives informed about the developments.
* Police are reporting that they expect the number of fatalities in the port city of Minamisanriku to exceed 10,000. The town's total population is 17,000.
* The following videos were recorded as the tsunami struck northern Japan. I've highlighted the links before, and now I'm sharing them here on The Ghibli Blog:
* Here are some of the latest photos from Reuters in Japan:
2011-03-13
Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Thread #3
My apologies for turning The Ghibli Blog into a news site this weekend. But since this site is focused on Japan, and we do have friends and readers over there, I'd like to continue posting once in a while. I'll try to keep the content short and to the point.
For news updates, follow Reuters Live-Blog, or NHK World (in English).
* Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross and help Japanese victims. I ask that every reader of this site send a donation.
* Manga artists are using their skills to offer hope and aid for victims of the tragedy. You can read more here.
* Here's a sampling of Reutes photos from Japan on Saturday:
* Japanese government officials warn of another explosion at the Fukushima plant. NHK is reporting that problems exist at the Onagawa nuclear reactor in Fukushima prefecture.
* Japanese officials have revised the earthquake to 9.0 on the Richter scale. NHK reports that fatalities from the earthquake and tsunami may exceed 10,000.
Update 6:24am:
* The BBC has a stunning video of the tsunami reaching the shores of Miyako, in Iwate prefecture. The rising waves appear so calm in the distance, but boats and cars are swept away like toys. A second video of the tsunami striking Sendai can be seen here.
* The force of the 9.0 earthquake moved Japan's islands 2.4 meters to the west, and shifted the earth off its axis by 10cm.
Update 8:58pm:
* This video of a rushing tsunami may be the most shocking yet. A person with a camera captured this as their town was literally swept away in minutes.
For news updates, follow Reuters Live-Blog, or NHK World (in English).
* Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross and help Japanese victims. I ask that every reader of this site send a donation.
* Manga artists are using their skills to offer hope and aid for victims of the tragedy. You can read more here.
* Here's a sampling of Reutes photos from Japan on Saturday:
* Japanese government officials warn of another explosion at the Fukushima plant. NHK is reporting that problems exist at the Onagawa nuclear reactor in Fukushima prefecture.
* Japanese officials have revised the earthquake to 9.0 on the Richter scale. NHK reports that fatalities from the earthquake and tsunami may exceed 10,000.
Update 6:24am:
* The BBC has a stunning video of the tsunami reaching the shores of Miyako, in Iwate prefecture. The rising waves appear so calm in the distance, but boats and cars are swept away like toys. A second video of the tsunami striking Sendai can be seen here.
* The force of the 9.0 earthquake moved Japan's islands 2.4 meters to the west, and shifted the earth off its axis by 10cm.
Update 8:58pm:
* This video of a rushing tsunami may be the most shocking yet. A person with a camera captured this as their town was literally swept away in minutes.
2011-03-12
Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Thread #2
* First, the Good News: Studio Ghibli has issued a statement on their website, reporting that their staff has suffered no injuries. I'm not entirely sure if this means the studio or just the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, which is temporarily closed. This is a relief, and it's welcome news. To many people around the world, the staff of Studio Ghibli is a part of their families.
* Now for the Bad News: The Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants were severely damaged by the quake and tsunami, knocking out power and cooling systems. Japan has declared a state of emergency, and is a possibility of meltdown at the Daiichi Unit1. Radiation levels inside Unit 1's control room are reported to be 1000 times the normal levels, and as many as five nuclear units are in serious risk.
NHK is reporting the detection of cesium at Daiichi Unit 1. This would indicate that some the nuclear fuel has begun to melt down (cesium is produced in a nuclear chain reaction). This news has been confirmed by the Japanese government.
Follow NHK's English-language page here. Follow Reuters' Live-Blog here.
Update: Reuters is reporting that Japan nuclear authorities have successfully released pressure at the Fukushima plant by opening its valves. This is very welcome news.
Update 12:20am Sunday: Some readers on the internet are suggesting that I was feeling relieved earlier today. I am not. For the record, I am deeply worried and fearful regarding Japan's nuclear crisis. Meltdown at one plant has been confirmed, with at least two more to follow. We are facing a catastrophe of Biblical proportions if these reactors aren't cooled.
My advice to everyone: prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.
* Now for the Bad News: The Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants were severely damaged by the quake and tsunami, knocking out power and cooling systems. Japan has declared a state of emergency, and is a possibility of meltdown at the Daiichi Unit1. Radiation levels inside Unit 1's control room are reported to be 1000 times the normal levels, and as many as five nuclear units are in serious risk.
NHK is reporting the detection of cesium at Daiichi Unit 1. This would indicate that some the nuclear fuel has begun to melt down (cesium is produced in a nuclear chain reaction). This news has been confirmed by the Japanese government.
Follow NHK's English-language page here. Follow Reuters' Live-Blog here.
Update: Reuters is reporting that Japan nuclear authorities have successfully released pressure at the Fukushima plant by opening its valves. This is very welcome news.
Update 12:20am Sunday: Some readers on the internet are suggesting that I was feeling relieved earlier today. I am not. For the record, I am deeply worried and fearful regarding Japan's nuclear crisis. Meltdown at one plant has been confirmed, with at least two more to follow. We are facing a catastrophe of Biblical proportions if these reactors aren't cooled.
My advice to everyone: prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.
2011-03-11
Japan Struck by Historic 8.9 Earthquake
Japan was struck by a massive earthquake this morning just off the coast of Sendai. News outlets report the quake registered a 8.9 on the Richter scale, making this the strongest in the country's recent history. Tsunamis were also triggered, with waves being reported as tall as 7m. Shock waves are currently moving across the Pacific Ocean.
Let's hope that all our friends in Japan are safe and well. Fortunately, their buildings are designed to withstand powerful earthquakes, but damage from aftershocks and the tsunami will be considerable.
Update: Follow Joan Nelson's ongoing posts on the earthquake and tsunami here.
Update: I've decided to post some photos from Japan. The people are still in a state of shock, and the full scale of this catastrophe will be unveiled over the next few days.
(Mego/Twitpic)
(all photos: Reuters/Kyodo)
Let's hope that all our friends in Japan are safe and well. Fortunately, their buildings are designed to withstand powerful earthquakes, but damage from aftershocks and the tsunami will be considerable.
Update: Follow Joan Nelson's ongoing posts on the earthquake and tsunami here.
Update: I've decided to post some photos from Japan. The people are still in a state of shock, and the full scale of this catastrophe will be unveiled over the next few days.
(Mego/Twitpic)
(all photos: Reuters/Kyodo)
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