Japanese tsunami disaster discussion

Tsotne · 3/17/11

340 times as much radiation in Fukushima as normal. Scientists say that 48 hours is left till the final answer... Nikkei down 131.5 bps today.

This photo seems to be taken in province where 8 000 people are lost. Photo named: Soldier discovering a four-month-old baby.

Andy Nguyen · 3/17/11

Got to read a few NYT articles today on the train and they don't read good at all. And I assume things are worse than we read in media anyway.
Nobody is really in charge over there and there are lack of information and a state of confusion among agencies. It's literally a ticking bomb there.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/world/asia/18spent.html

Tsotne · 3/17/11

"Nobody is in charge" This is one factor and in addition they might be deliberately hiding some facts in order to avert panics.

Peter-Jan · 3/17/11

@Alex Vugman
Yeah I've also been thinking about those 50 people today. I think those people do it because it's their job - so instead of "not volunteering" it becomes "didn't take responsibility in times of crisis". Plus, Japan is big on pride.

Regarding being humble in policy - absolutely agreed. Society gets more and more connected and complex every year, and the only way to cope with that will be decentralized. In politics technology makes it easier over time to implement central rule, but ironically it's exactly that which will demonstrate it's shortcomings.

Andy Nguyen · 3/19/11

Japan govt revealed that they have found radioactive material in food in farms near the nuclear plants. The food supply is now infected
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/asia/20japan.html?_r=1&hp

bigbadwolf · 3/19/11

The first detection of radiation from Japan has been recorded along the West Coast of the United States, but the UN insists the levels of radiation are far below dangerous levels.

The UN's Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization initially issued a statement alleging a radioactive plume could hit California by March 18 – they were right.

US suppliers of Geiger counters, gas masks, anti-radiation tablets and pet shelters are selling out of their supplies, many having to place back orders.

(Source)

Peter-Jan · 3/19/11

The survivalist groups are going to have a field day over this.

Tsotne · 3/19/11

There is some progress on the reactor 4. Reactor 3 remains dangerous yet.

Andy Nguyen · 3/21/11

Looks like we have some good news from Japan, people
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704021504576211733745754772.html

TOKYO—Japan appears to have turned the tide in its battle to stave off nuclear disaster, restoring power to parts of the Fukushima Daiichi plant and bringing down radiation levels with a marathon water-spraying operation.

Officials cautioned that many steps remain before the plant is fully under control, and the possibility of larger radiation discharges still exists. But for the first time, Japanese leaders voiced optimism that the worst of the crisis is over.

"We have achieved a certain level of success," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said on Sunday.