Accessibility links
Asia Asia

Asia

Tainted Groundwater Found At Japan Nuclear Plant

The facilities at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant were designed to withstand strong earthquakes and tsunamis, but not to the strength and size experienced on March 11. Air Photo Service/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Air Photo Service/AP

Rebuilding Japan

Tainted Groundwater Found At Japan Nuclear Plant

Workers have discovered contaminated groundwater beneath a leaking nuclear reactor at Japan's troubled Fukushima Dai-ichi complex, plant operators say. The radiation levels were 10,000 times the government health standard. Other readings find radiation levels rose in seawater near the plant.

On Japan's Coast, A Search For Relatives And Relief

Firefighters use heavy equipment to tear apart a collapsed 300-year-old house while searching for the dead in the rubble of Rikuzentakata, Japan. John Burnett/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
John Burnett/NPR

Rebuilding Japan

On Japan's Coast, A Search For Relatives And Relief

Nearly three weeks after the tsunami, the search continues for the thousands still missing. Work crews cannot begin to remove the mountains of debris strewn along hundreds of miles of coastline until they find all the bodies buried underneath.

On Japan's Coast, A Search For Relatives And Relief

Listen · 4:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/135011635/135021206" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Rebuilding Japan

Public Anger Against Nuclear Power Mounts In Japan

Since the tsunami damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant 150 miles outside of Tokyo, Japanese citizens have grown more resistant toward nuclear energy. Analysts believe that any attempts at reform will face stiff resistance from the country's powerful nuclear energy establishment.

Public Anger Against Nuclear Power Mounts In Japan

Listen · 5:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/135008910/135008973" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Bird's-Eye View Shows Vast Damage At Nuclear Plant

The facilities at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant were designed to withstand strong earthquakes and tsunamis, but not to the strength and size experienced on March 11. Air Photo Service/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Air Photo Service/AP

The Picture Show

Bird's-Eye View Shows Vast Damage At Nuclear Plant

Aerial photographs of the stricken Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Japan show just how badly the facility was damaged by the earthquake, tsunami, explosions and fires.

Rebuilding Japan

Japan's Nuclear Crisis Takes Its Toll On Utility

The Japanese utility company that owns the Fukushima nuclear complex, is struggling with more than just trying to contain the situation at the crippled plant. Since this month's earthquake and tsunami, the company has been under fire in Japan and its stock has dropped precipitously.

Japan's Nuclear Crisis Takes Its Toll On Utility

Listen · 3:44
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/135002320/135002385" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
In Japan, Scenes Of Much Destruction, Little Looting

One of the soggy wallets that have been brought into the Kamaishi police department following the tsunami. John Burnett/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
John Burnett/NPR

Rebuilding Japan

In Japan, Scenes Of Much Destruction, Little Looting

In the town of Kamaishi, the black tide killed at least 600 people, threw an ocean freighter onto the wharf and blew open thousands of houses and shops, leaving many things to steal. But there have been few documented reports of thievery since the tsunami, in contrast to widespread looting that has happened after disasters in other countries.

In Japan, Scenes Of Much Destruction, Little Looting

Listen · 5:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/134996688/135002386" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Japan Plant: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata (second from right) and other executives bow prior to a press conference at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on Wednesday. Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images

Rebuilding Japan

Japan Plant: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Nearly three weeks after the earthquake and tsunami wreaked havoc on an aging nuclear power plant on Japan's Pacific coast, officials handling the crisis face multiplying hurdles, making the end goal of a stable facility with a functioning cooling system seem further from reach.

From Corsica, French Jets Roar Into Action Over Libya

A Rafale jet takes off from the Solenzara base on the French island of Corsica for a mission in Libya on March 26. Stephan Agostini/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Stephan Agostini/AFP/Getty Images

Conflict In Libya

From Corsica, French Jets Roar Into Action Over Libya

The French air force was the first to go into action over Libya. And since then, French aircraft have flown more missions enforcing the U.N. resolution than any other country except the United States. Most of those missions have been launched from an air base on the French island of Corsica.

From Corsica, French Jets Roar Into Action Over Libya

Listen · 3:59
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/134987919/134991157" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Rebuilding Japan

In Quake-Struck Japan, Businesses Try To Rebuild

The March 11th earthquake in Japan destroyed countless businesses and left many others closed. Some suffered earthquake damage. Others were flooded by the tsunami. And some near the crippled Fukushima nuclear complex can't get supplies. But despite the challenges facing small businesses in the area, many owners are trying to reopen.

In Quake-Struck Japan, Businesses Try To Rebuild

Listen · 3:52
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/134987895/134987878" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Rebuilding Japan

Can Japan Overcome Economic Hurdles?

It's estimated that the cost of damage from the giant earthquake and tsunami in Japan could exceed $300 billion. That doesn't include the costs to the economy from lost production. On top of that, Japan faces an ongoing power shortage caused by its nuclear crisis and an already huge government debt burden.

Can Japan Overcome Economic Hurdles?

Listen · 4:35
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/134987891/134987877" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Vacation In Vietnam A Journey Into Healing

For the average American, Vietnam is unlikely to feature on a list of vacation destinations. But for writer Kristen Henderson and her military husband, fresh from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, it was the top choice. The couple packed their bags for a one week vacation in a country still recovering from the ravages of war. And were surprised at what they found. Henderson wrote about it for this week's Washington Post magazine and shared her experience with host Michel Martin.

Vacation In Vietnam A Journey Into Healing

Listen · 6:50
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/134981898/134981888" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sports

India, Pakistan Engage In 'Cricket Diplomacy'

Teams from India and Pakistan face each other Wednesday in the semifinal Cricket World Cup match. Social historian Mukul Kesavan talks to Steve Inskeep about whether the game is the right time to conduct diplomacy between the two arch-rivals.

India, Pakistan Engage In 'Cricket Diplomacy'

Listen · 3:30
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/134969983/134974457" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Tokyo Sees Its Lights Go Dim, And Lifestyles Change

With its massive electronic billboards now dark, Tokyo's Shibuya fashion district is far more subdued than it was before the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images

Rebuilding Japan

Tokyo Sees Its Lights Go Dim, And Lifestyles Change

In normal times, Tokyo thrives on electricity. Dazzling digital billboards overlook the shopping districts, and doors glide open automatically. But the earthquake and tsunami have forced the city to reduce its power usage, forcing residents to alter their lifestyles.

Tokyo Sees Its Lights Go Dim, And Lifestyles Change

Listen · 3:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/134957742/134958286" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
India, Pakistan Stop For Crucial Cricket Game

Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi (left) and India's captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, at a news conference in Mohali, India, on Tuesday. The two men and their teams will face off Wednesday in a World Cup semifinal that is being dubbed "the mother of all matches." Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

India, Pakistan Stop For Crucial Cricket Game

The neighbors and rivals are playing each other in the semifinal of ICC Cricket World Cup in Mohali, India. Tensions are high ahead of the "mother of all matches." Some 100 million viewers are expected to watch a broadcast of the game, which will be attended by the prime ministers of both nations.

India, Pakistan Stop For Crucial Cricket Game

Listen · 5:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/134961608/134960829" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript