Daily Japan Headlines: Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Written By: guyjin on May 18, 2011 No Comment

20110518
Ogasawara Islands. Photo Source: tourism world travel

Independent: UNESCO set to recognise heritage areas of Japan

Two areas of Japan are likely to be added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites, including one that is in the region that was badly damaged in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
An advisory panel to the United Nations organization has put forward a recommendation that the Hiraizumi district of Iwate Prefecture and the Ogasawara Islands, which stretch to the south of Tokyo Bay, both be recognized for their cultural and historic significance.

*****

ABC Australia: Japan admits getting nuke updates via media

The news highlights tensions between the plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co, and the Japanese government.
Speaking at a news conference today, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary said he was unaware that the cooling system at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant had been shut down manually.
Yukio Edano says he learnt about the development in today’s media reports.

*****

Fox: Japan PM Kan Affirms Importance Of Nuclear Power In Energy Policy

“Once a thorough implementation of safety can be determined, nuclear energy will continue to be utilized,”

*****

LA Daily News: PM: Japan’s nuke regulators need more independence

“Entities that promote and check nuclear energy belong to the same government institution, which raises a question of independence,”

*****

Bloomberg: Tepco Misleading Public Over Nuclear Crisis

“Only after understanding what’s going on inside the buildings and reactors, will it be clear what parts of the timetable are achievable. Devising a road map without that will give the public a false sense of security.”

*****

ABC Australia: Don’t forget Japan earthquake victims pleads survivor

“It’s gone out of the news in a lot of parts in Australia pretty quickly but there’s still just as great a need over there as there was when the earthquake happened,”

*****

CNN: Can Japan’s music fans party again?

This year’s Fuji Rock Festival in Japan could be the most difficult for Masahiro Hidaka….with the aftermath of the March earthquake and tsunami still unfolding in the northeast of the country, Hidaka is looking for ways to mark the gravity of the situation while allowing the thousands who visit each year to unwind and enjoy themselves.

*****

CNN Video: Japan tourism hit by disaster

*****

BBC: Viewpoint: How Japan’s car industry almost shut down by Koji Endo

Renesas was a little-known Japanese chip-maker until 11 March, when the earthquake and tsunami in Japan disrupted its production.
For the first time ever, almost all the Japanese carmakers had to idle most of their plants, not only in Japan but also globally, and stay that way for months.
Even after restarting production, capacity utilisation has been staying – and will be staying – at less than 50% for more than six months, or until the end of 2011.

*****

Bloomberg: Japan to Consider Using Energy-Saving, Smart Grid Technologies, Edano Says

“Japan will work on establishing a new energy system, including the introduction of a smart grid,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said in a speech in Tokyo today, without elaborating. A smart grid uses computerized meters to regulate power use.

*****