No one's been telling the truth about the nuclear disaster as much as Takase Hiroshi 広瀬隆　has. Because he tells the truth, he has been ignored by all the Japanese media and many Japanese people. Now people would more than anything like to feel relieved from fear and insecurity.

But look up his name on the internet and listen to what he says on You-tube. Or listen to his comments on March 26 (その１，その２，その３）http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tanpoponews

•  Nicky
• 2011年4月12日 13:10

Hi Nicky,

I searched for his name on YouTube, but I couldn't find any videos. Is he only on the Japanese YouTube? Can you summarize what he is saying for us?

•  David
• 2011年4月12日 13:30

I am sorry that everything he says on the above mentioned URL "Tanpopo" web site is in Japanese.

But he explained there in a great length --- providing all the convincing scientific data and graphs --- that the Fukushima situation is far more devastating than any media have ever reported to date. He has been a sound advocator of abolishing all the nuclear plants in Japan since almost all of them are located in the area where the active valuts and plates are intertwined underground and thus the chances of great earthquakes most likely occur.

Basically, he is for abolishing all the nuke plants when the designers of them get retired. Most of the nuke power plants in Japan were designed 30 something years ago and all the designers (most of them were from General Electric) were retired. The design of such a plant is so complicated and only those experts know how everything is wired and structured. Bureaucrats and Tepco people have no idea what is going on inside the Fukushima plant. It is as if we are sitting in front of PC that's brocken but it is impossible for us to fix it, especially when it is 30 years old.

Now radiation-contaminated water was released into the sea, the worst of the worst happened and he says it is so deplorable since he has been calling for the government and the companies that some kind of strong measures must be taken to avoid possible disaster at all nuclear power plants all over Japan.

Oh, I'd love to explain everything he says. What he says is based on profound research he made in and out of Japan and all scientific data, which are so logical and make sense.

What was astounding was that the magnitude level was all of a sudden elevated one day to 9.0 from 8.4 or something. The reason is that there is a law in Japan if the level of the disaster is beyond a certain degree, the government assists a company like Tepco by providing them with the tax-payers' money to save their operations.

•  Nicky
• 2011年4月12日 14:40

Thanks Nicky. That is very interesting, and more than a bit worrying! Apparently, the reactor at Hamaoka in Shizuoka is also located at a really dangerous spot. I hope they decide to close that one down before the Tokai earthquake strikes.

Even though I am not an expert, I think it is obvious to everyone that it is crazy to have nuclear power in a seismically active country like Japan.

•  David
• 2011年4月12日 15:23

Hi.
This is my first comment on this blog. Nice to meet you!

It seems that the only thing the desperate authorities are trying to do is to protect their fames, not to admit their terrible failures. We really have to be observant of whatever information we get. The severity level of the accident at Fukushima nuclear power plant turned out to be the maximum 7, which is at the same level as Chernobyl accident, Japan had informed it 5 before that though.

I've just checked the video Nicky'd mentioned on You Tube. Thanks to Nicky, I could know his name, Takase Hiroshi, who is a nonfiction writer and anti-nuclear power plants. I hardly know who to believe. The flood of information on the internet confuse me.

p.s. I was in Caerphilly, Cardiff when I was in high school as an exchange student for 10 months. I've just restarted studying English!

•  匿名
• 2011年4月12日 15:29

Hi newcomer,

Nice to have you with us, but you forgot to put your name, so I don't know what to call you.

•  David
• 2011年4月12日 16:58

Oh, sorry!
My name is momo. Nice to meet you, David and everyone!

•  momo
• 2011年4月12日 17:32

Hello David and everyone,
Thanks to Nicky's explanation, I think I could understand what is going on at the power plant right now. Her sentences are clear and concise. I think one of the problems causes confusion is that press conferences have been held at different places about the same thing. Each one says a bit different from each other.

Hello momo,
Hello, I’m taco. Nice to meet you. I have no idea where Caerphilly is, so I googled it. It is in the U.K, isn’t it?

Everyone!
Thank you very much for your comments on my birthday. I was really happy to see them.

Hello Amica,
Happy birthday and thank you for your message.

See you,

taco

•  匿名
• 2011年4月12日 22:33

Hi David and everyone,

Sorry, but I don’t think I can join here this week. Two of my co-workers have left the office, but our management won’t hire any replacements for them, so I have to cover it. One of my staff is taking a vacation at the moment, so I am very busy this week.
Anyway, I am worried about nuclear accident too, but I don’t know what I should believe as you said.

Hi Nicky,

Thanks for the information. I don’t have time to check now, so I will do it this weekend.

Hi momo,
Nice to have you with us. You have been in Cardiff? That's nice. I want to visit Wales someday.

Good night,
amo

•  amo
• 2011年4月13日 00:28

Thank you for welcoming message, amo, Tomo, and David. I'd like to make many many steps in English language.

I got on the Takase Hiroshi's site that Nicky says, sometimes ago.
I related to him so much, but it seems to be a bit scared off me. This is a good opportunity that I think about the radioactive contamination. I didn't know anything at all. I'm seeing all Japanese begin to think towards closing all nuclear power plants, too.

That was a large-scale earthquake,really!
And, we have still small-scale ones, after March 11.
Take care ( to myself,too ), and see you.

•  Chiki
• 2011年4月13日 15:57

Hi David and everyone,
It’s so irritating that we still have to worry about what’s happening in Fukushima Daiichi after a month has passed, and nobody knows when the crisis will be exactly settled.
I know nothing about the nuclear power plant, Fukushima’s crisis has made me learn and think a lot about it. As a nonprofessional, I tend to think the same way as David does, isn’t it crazy to have nuclear power in a seismically active country like Japan? Things might not be as easy as we think, I suppose. Not only because hydro power (or any other power) costs more than the nuclear power, it may also relate to political matters such as foreign affairs,etc. I’m not a political expert, so I just stop here.

Hi Nicky,
Thank you very much for the comprehensible summary on Takase Hiroshi, you did a great job. I watched TV program 「ニュースの深層」 before. It’s true that his explanation about the nuclear accident is logical and makes sense, and it’s shocking as well, it made me want to bring my kid to get away from Japan (not only Tokyo) right away! The fact is that we have all our lives here, it’s not so easy to just run away, so like most people, I would rather believe those moderate experts’ opinions and there will be a breakthrough for the crisis soon. Maybe it’s just kind of “escape from reality”.

Hi momo, Chiki
Nice to meet you here!

Hi amo,
Sorry to hear that you are in such a tough situation, please take care of yourself.

•  Ling
• 2011年4月13日 16:55

Hi David and everybody,
This is the first time for me to coment on this. Nice to meet you.
The effect of the earthquake has been still so disastrous that a lot of festivals and events have been canceled all over Japan. Most regular TV programs were canceled and the contents of every TV program were almost the same for about two weeks. These situations have forced all Japanese not to complain and just endure the situation. There are controversial problems about this incident. There are some people who stay home all day and watching TV is the only pleasure for them. Venders make their living by festivals. Moreover, as some pediatricians have noticed, children are becoming unstable because of repeated miserable tsunami scenes on TV. I am interested in the background of the incident.
In Japan there is an idea of “こんな時に 不謹慎だ“, which means “you have to be prudent in a difficult situation.” The similar thing happened when Syowa Emperor died. At that time all the TV programs were canceled for several days. Apparently all Japanese looked very sorry about his death. However, to tell the truth, it was said that Tsutaya shops, rental video shops, were very clouded everywhere. In Japan, if you do something against the stronger or the majority’s opinion, which is not just the number, you may be accused and said to be shameless. When something big happens, TV stations have to do the same as the others.
The idea that to do the same thing with others is the best is based on “横並びがいい.” This has worked well, for example most people are able to follow the rules, and keep discipline under a severe situation. Therefore even in this incident, there have been no riots or disturbance. On the other hand most people try to endure too much, which may lead them to have bigger mental shocks later.
Also Japanese people often think standing or resisting against a huge problem is “仕方ない” , which is to be useless, not worth trying to resist, and surrendering ourselves. This is a common reaction to situations beyond your control. Some say that “仕方ない” spirit has been cultivated with holding awe and respect toward nature. The spirit of “仕方ない” will be very useful to avoid confusion. Historically when the USA government arrested almost all innocent Japanese-Americans along the west coast and put them into concentration camps during WWII. Most of them did not complain, just followed the order, and said “ 仕方ない.” In Japan this idea force us to be more patient and patience has been considered a virtue. It may be much more comfortable for Japanese not to oppose a difficult situation. Some doctors from foreign countries are often surprised to find Japanese people are much more patient with pain.
Japanese sight has good effects when an uncontrollable thing happens but at the same time it has bad effects: difficulty of complaining, compelling us to be patient too much, and forcing us more passive. The disaster is enormous and the problem of the nuclear accident has not been settled yet. People in Tohoku will have more aftershock for about two years. Economically not only the Tohoku region but also the other regions in Japan will be at bay for years. However, can’t you enjoy yourself as usual if you are not a user of Toden, Tokyo electric power company? Can't children laugh at cartoons? Also can’t we voice opinions against the foreign media’s ridiculous stories?

•  匿名
• 2011年4月13日 23:30

Hi David and everyone
Long time no see.
While I didn't join here, it seems many new members come here. That's nice! Nice to meet you all :-)

When I noticed a month past since an earthquake happened, I was very surprised. The problem with nuclear plants is not resolved yet. The earthquake still occurs. It is very scary. It is very difficult situation.
The level of nuclear accident was raised to 7 which was same as the accident in Chernobyl. I found an explanation about what this level means. Here is that,
www9.nhk.or.jp/kabun-blog/100/78196.html
(Please append "http://" front)

A thing I couldn't figure out is that 原子力安全委員会 raised limit of exposure per year. What's that? Does this measure has any meanings? It is ridiculous.

I think it is impossible to recover same as before the earthquake occurred. But I believe Japan will rise again. Japan will show new brilliant form. I want to help that.

trmr

•  trmr
• 2011年4月13日 23:48

Not to shore what i'm doing, but D has told me I have to add to your blog . your problems get less and less cover in the UK ,because there is a lot of news both home and abroad at the moment . It doesn't mean we have forgoten about you all .

H + M

•  H W . Nannerch
• 2011年4月14日 21:58

Hi David and everyone,

I don't know what to say, but I felt something strange because so many incidents happened since March 11th. It's horrible that there are still major aftershocks.

As for the problem with nuclear power, crisis level at Fukushima Daiichi plant was raised to level 7 at last;the highest and same as Chernobyl level.
It make us feel more scary.
I'm not familiar with a nuclear power or radiation,however, it a chance to rethink about it.
Thanks Nicky and trmr for letting us know about the site and explaining about it. It helps a lot.
As Ling said, I think things are not that simple to say 'for' or 'against' because lots of companies and countries are involved with nuclear power generation. Anyway, we need to develop alternative energies such as solar energy,wind energy and some other ones.

By the way, according to an article in The Independent, Britain has the world's biggest reserve of plutonium waste and after the tsunami, no nation will take it, so Britain faces the crisis. Did you know that?
If you are interested in it, you can read the article from the site below:
http:// www.independent.co.uk/news/science/governments-doomed-6bn-plan-to-dispose-of-nuclear-waste-2266047.html

Another problem is the damage by the rumors.
After the incident in Fukushima, a lot of farmers and fishermen have incurred the damage due to the rumors about radioactive contamination. These losses are huge and really serious.
These situations also affect tourism badly and lots of people from foreign countries hesitate to visit Japan. Japan seems to be in a vicious circle at the moment.

Hi yoo,chiki, momo,and no name-san,

Nice to meet you! Looking forward to reading your comments again.

Hi amo,
That's too bad! Take care!

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2011年4月14日 22:30

Hi Howard,

Thanks for joining us. The situation is getting better over here, but people are still very worried about the nuclear business.

Hi Anne,

I didn't know that, but I'm not surprised. I think nuclear power is a horrible thing that should be banned completely, but I don't think that is going to happen.

•  David
• 2011年4月14日 23:47

Hi David and everyone,
Nice to meet you newcomers. I'm glad that new members joined here. Since their English are quite high level, I learn a lot from your comments. Please forgive my immature English.

It's so scary that The Fukushima Incident hasn't solved yet. There are so many opinions on that and I don't know which one should I believe. The best thing is to switch to alternative sustainable energy sources instead of nuclear power. I hope things will be settled down as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend! :D

Fumie

•  fumie
• 2011年4月15日 10:09

訂正：
It make us→It makes us
it a chance to rethink→it's a chance to rethink

Hi Howard,

Nice to meet you. Looking forward to hearing from you again when you have time.

Hi everyone,
It's fine and warm around here. What is the weather like where you live? I guess this weekend is the last chance to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms around here Nagoya.

This week's topic is really challenging even in Japanese,isn't it? 日本語でも、何を言ったらいいのか、いえることは限られて断片的だし、いろいろな事がありすぎてとまどうばかりです。

Have a great weekend,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2011年4月15日 10:30

Let me do a quick introduction:

Howard is "H W Nannerch." He is the father of one of my childhood friends, and he and his wife are friends of my mother and father. They live in the same village. I have known Howard's family since I was seven years old. He likes computers, so my mother told him to check out my blog.

•  David
• 2011年4月15日 11:30

Hi David,

Oh, I see! So he knows everything what you have done,good or bad, when you were kid,right?
It's nice to keep in touch with your friend's father here on your blog,isn't it?

•  Anne
• 2011年4月15日 14:18

Hi Anne,

I never did anything bad when I was a kid, so it's no problem :-)

•  David
• 2011年4月15日 16:11

My name is “Anony.” It is merely because I am a person who asks to be anonymous. Today, I come across here again at the first time for a long while, and notice a strange phrase of “not to shore” at the beginning sentence of the comment Mr. Howard writes. At first when I see it, I am not able to understand what it means. After thinking over it for a short time, I can get it as he has intentionally to make a misspelling in order to make fun people who belong the blog that he thinks are in the difficult situation right now because of the disaster. What do you all think is this? This is right, isn’t it!

Japanese people are always careful, but are almost used to living on these fatal islands. People in particular live in the northern-east coast of Japan are almost always mentally stronger than that of the rest of it or somewhere else, so they can recover their lost land the way they want to rebuild.

I am only using the present tense in writing because I am going to teach myself basic English grammar again with a textbook on a daily basis and I just start doing a review of it on the way to work this morning. I am going to use other tenses if I can after keeping my study in going on and on. I’m not 2 shore or not too sure, but I hope I can.

English must be meant for me to manage to learn, so I am to do so.
I’m good, aren’t I?

Anony.

•  Anony.
• 2011年4月15日 16:12

Well David, top marks to Anony for spotting my "deliberate ", mistake of the use of the word shore which would be used as in " shore line at the coast. I was not "too sure" what I was doing, as I was uncertain . Do any of your friends have caravans, that you tow behind a car . Madeleine (my wife ) has just pointed out that I should have used too and not to.

Howard Nannerch

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• 2011年4月17日 02:37

I have not checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I'll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend :)

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