Japan In Crisis

Areas Of Northern Japan May Be Off-Limits For Years()  

A 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck Japan offshore on March 11, setting into motion a tsunami that engulfed large parts  of northeastern Japan and triggered a nuclear meltdown at a power plant in Fukushima. On March 26, a man walks among debris in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

September 13, 2011 Six months after the accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant, the Japanese government has declared eight areas near the reactors as potential no-go zones for the next two decades. Many residents remain homeless. Beyond the hot zone, many people have decided to stay, but are worried about elevated radiation levels.

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Japanese Seniors: Send Us To Damaged Nuclear Plant()  

Workers decontaminate the roof of a kindergarten about 12 miles from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan last month. Several hundred Japanese seniors have volunteered to take part in the cleanup effort.

September 12, 2011 Since Japan's nuclear accident in March, about 500 Japanese seniors have signed up to work at the dangerous plant. They say it's better that they risk their lives than the younger workers at a job that has been called courageous — and suicidal.

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After Nuclear Mishap, Japan Debates Energy Future()  

Farmers whose crops were ruined by a nuclear accident protest Aug. 3 at the Tokyo Electric Power Co. Many Japanese are calling for the country to lessen its dependence on nuclear power following the accident six months ago.

September 6, 2011 The Japanese public is demanding that the country move away from nuclear power and toward renewable sources of energy. But it's a tall task for a country with few resources.

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In Japan, Next Prime Minister Faces Skeptics()  

Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda was chosen leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan on Monday. That all but ensures his selection as Japan's next prime minister.

August 29, 2011 Japan looks set to get a new prime minister as early as Tuesday. But in a country that has been plagued by years of economic stagnation and a major disaster this spring, few are expecting a quick turnaround in the country's fortunes.

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After Tsunami, Japanese Fishing Port Still At Risk()  

Most of Kesennuma's large fishing boats either survived the tsunami or have been repaired. But many do not move from the dock, because most of the city's fish-processing factories still lie in ruins.

August 24, 2011 Five months after a tsunami decimated Japan's northeast coast, one of the region's largest fishing ports is trying to get back to work. But the earthquake changed the landscape, complicating plans to rebuild.

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In Japan, Restoring Photos For Tsunami Victims()  

Boston-based NGO All Hands is restoring water-damaged photos recovered from Japan's tsunami using  scanners and a host of professional photo re-touchers around the world.

August 19, 2011 Many Japanese families on the country's northeast coast lost everything in the March tsunami — homes, businesses and loved ones. But in the rubble, survivors found many priceless family photos. One U.S. group is now working to repair the photos damaged in the disaster.

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In Japan, Holding Onto Political Reins Proves Elusive()  

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan speaks during a news conference in Tokyo in May. The beleaguered leader is expected to step down in coming weeks.

July 27, 2011 For months, critics have called for the resignation of Japan's much-unloved prime minister, Naoto Kan. The frailty of the country's leadership reflects the fact that Japan has yet to enjoy a fully democratic political system.

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The Two-Way

For Devastated Japanese, World Cup Was 'More Than A Game'()  

In Tokyo today, newspapers printed extra editions to report about the women soccer team's victory in the World Cup.

July 18, 2011 There's no shortage of reports about how important the victory in women's soccer was across the Pacific in a nation still recovering from the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Does losing to Japan ease the pain for U.S. fans?

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The Science Of Japan's Nuclear Crisis

Reports: Why Things Fell Apart At Fukushima()  

This March 24 aerial photo shows the extent of damage at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Japan. The 40-foot-tall tsunami destroyed the electrical and cooling systems, resulting in meltdowns at some of the reactors.

June 20, 2011 In new reports, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Japanese government highlight the hazardous working conditions, lack of communication and last-ditch efforts by workers to contain meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Japan. Early confusion among the leadership was also a problem.

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The Two-Way

Fukushima's Plan To Put Radiation Badges On Children Not Pleasing Parents()  

May 23, 2011: A woman outside the Education Ministry in Tokyo expresses her opinion. Many in Japan say the government is not doing enough to protect children from radiation that's leaking from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant that was crippled in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

June 15, 2011 Those parents say the government should be evacuating everyone 18 and under and any woman who is pregnant, not waiting three more months and then only issuing badges that will be checked one a month to determine exposure.

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This chart from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows how the tsunami is expected to travel across the Pacific Ocean. The dark black and purple indicate the highest rise in sea level. The light gray lines indicate when the tsunami wave is expected to arrive. View high-res version.
NOAA

This chart from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows how the tsunami is expected to travel across the Pacific Ocean. The dark black and purple indicate the highest rise in sea level. The light gray lines indicate when the tsunami wave is expected to arrive. View high-res version.