Fukushima radioactive water could overflow soon (by Asahi Shimbun)

Raising fresh concerns about its ability to bring the nuclear crisis under control, Tokyo Electric Power Co. announced June 3 that highly radioactive water pooled in underground pits could start rising above ground in less than three weeks.

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201106040157.html

Over 169 bil. yen in disaster relief donations still not distributed (by Mainichi Shimbun)

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- More than 169 billion yen in relief money offered as donations to the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Central Community Chest of Japan for people affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami is still being kept by the two bodies, their officials said Sunday.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110606p2g00m0dm005000c.html

Reopened the pharmacy motivated by the customers

(by Mr. Takanori Sase, 52 years old, Store Manager, Sase Taiyodo Pharmacy at Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture)

I resumed my business after the Golden Week (long holidays in Japan). I quickly ran up to the second floor when the disaster hit our home. When the muddy stream of 2 meters high filled the first floor, I just could not believe what I saw.

News reports are naturally focused on the Tohoku area that received severe damages, but Chiba Prefecture suffered terrible damages as well. They are still working hard to demolish the damaged buildings and remove debris.

The shop area on the first floor was completely destroyed, and I was dejected by the sight, but when the customers came to ask for their medication after the earthquake disaster, I realized that I need to open the pharmacy to help them. I distributed fliers through newspapers on May 16, and I am getting back the customers little by little.

There are some who come from the evacuation centers, or temporary housings. There are many aged people who are on medications. I encourage myself to be positive even for the sake of the customers. (Picture taken by Mr. Kei Yokoyama)

Nikkan Sports, May 25, 2011
http://photos.nikkansports.com/general/genki/archives/20110525_16922.html

Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano

Junior High School students removing debris from the rice fields

Due to the damage by the tsunami, farmers in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, are not able to plant rice this year, and students at the local junior high school worked on removing debris from the rice fields. They could remove only part of debris, but will continue to work on it along with weeding.

350 hectare, 95 % of rice fields were submerged in sea water in the Kitakami area in Ishinomaki City when the tsunami hit, and they are not able to plant rice this year. The rice field of Mr. Hiroshi Ouchi (48) was also covered with the sea water and there are much debris left now even after the water subsided. 96 students from the local junior high school came to help him remove debris so that he will be able to plant rice next year. Students went into the rice field and picked up driftwoods and cloths piece by piece and sack them. Mr. Kyohei Saijo (14), 9th grade, said “I picked them up wishing that we’ll be able to eat the delicious Kitakami rice as soon as possible.” They were only able to remove the small portion of debris on 26th, but they will continue to help him remove debris and weed in the future.

NHK Online, The Circle of People, the Circle of Spirits, May 25, 2011

Translated by Makiko Tajima Asasno