Sorry, I’m a bit behind today as I’m just completing the first draft on coverage of Fukshima. I also lost a 30 minute summary job of what happened ;(
So here’s a very short version of what happened last week. Japan Agreed to increase money for evacuees, while a major new loan for TEPCo was given out. The scandal over attempts to manipulate opening of another reactor in the country has angered the public, while high levels of radiation were found in beef as well as 45% of the children in the region. Russian Scientists suggest that another Fukushima will hit far sooner than later due to all the aging reactors around the world. A test run of the new poly-cover was done during the last few days. Agricultural exports from the region hit zero, cesium was found in Tokyo for the first time since April, 3 more workers have been acknowledged to have radiation above allowable levels. And there was a 7.3 earthquake in northern Japan!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

• Asahi Shimbun – Japanese banks to tackle loan problem in disaster-hit region – Kazuo Teranishi
• Japan Times – Okada says Japan’s reactor ‘stress tests’ should be shorter than EU’s
• Japan Times – Leak forces Tepco to temporarily halt water decontamination system
• Mainichi Daily News – M7.3 earthquake jolts northeastern Japan
• Nikkei – Tepco Halts Water Decontamination System After Chemical Leakage
• AP Google – Strong earthquake rattles tsunami-weary Japan – Eric Talmadge
• AFP Google – Small tsunami reaches Japan after major quake
• UPI – Fukushima cleanup may take decades
• Reuters – Japan to detail nuclear plant “stress tests” Monday-minister – Kevin Krolicki
• Reuters – Update 4-Quake jolts northeast Japan, no reports of damage – Kevin Krolicki
• Bloomberg – Tokyo Electric Says Fukushima Nuclear Cooling Uninterrupted by Earthquake – Toshiro Hasegawa and Toru Fujioka

Saturday, July 09, 2011

• ICT Magazine – Nuclear Problems In Britain, Japan, France and the U.S.
• Japan Times – Nuke crisis panel to question hundreds of people
• Japan Times – Up close and personal with MIT robots – Rowan Hooper
• Japan Times – With Japan at a crossroads, it’s instructive to recall the Hidaka affair – Roger Pulvers
• Japan Times – Insider blew whistle on Kyushu Electric TV stunt
• Japan Times – Moms rally around antinuke cause – Junko Horiuchi
• Japan Times – Tepco to soon inject unit 3 with nitrogen
• Japan Today – Investigation on nuclear crisis to involve hearing from 200 people
• Mainichi Daily News – Experts warn that drug’s benefits unproven for low-dose radiation dosages
• Mainichi Daily News – Scientists launch ‘operation sunflowers’ to decontaminate farmland near nuclear plant
• Mainichi Daily News – Elderly Fukushima woman kills self ‘to evacuate to grave’
• Mainichi Daily News – Banks to set 400 bil. yen credit line for quake-hit Tohoku Electric
• Mainichi Daily News – Japanese banks to tackle loan problem in disaster-hit region
• Mainichi Daily News – Hopes for water purification, cooling system to bring Fukushima nuke plant under control
• Mainichi Daily News – Minister for nuclear accidents vows to separate nuclear agency from industry ministry
• Mainichi Daily News – More Kyushu Electric execs tried to manipulate public opinion to restart nuke plant
• Mainichi Daily News – Editorial Proposed nuclear plant ‘stress tests’ must ensure real safety
• Mainichi Daily News – Excess level of radioactive cesium found in meat of Fukushima cow
• Mainichi Daily News – In-house whistle-blower brought Kyushu Electric scandal into light
• AFP Google – High levels of caesium found in Fukushima beef
• Greg Laden’s Blog – Japan Nuclear Disaster Update 30: It was, is, and will be worse than you thought – Analiese Miller and Greg Laden
• New York Times – This Time, Japan’s Gloom Runs Deeper – Ken Belson
• Pacific Free Press – Fukushima Meltdown: Status Update July 8, 2011
• Reuters – Stable cooling system in place for Japan reactors-paper – Kaori Kaneko and Kevin Krolicki
• Reuters – Japan’s Kan says nuclear clean-up could take decades – Kaori Kaneko and Kevin Krolicki
• Washington Post – Japan faces dilemma over nuclear reactors – Chico Harlan
• South Asia: Asian Tribune – Discriminatory nuclear policy of USA – Asif Haroon Raja

Friday, July 08, 2011

• Asahi Shimbun – 4 months on, disaster debris still a huge, smelly problem
• Daily Yomiuri – Restart N-plants safely; shut down Kan govt swiftly
• Daily Yomiuri – Restart N-plants safely; shut down Kan govt swiftly
• Daily Yomiuri – Top utility execs tied to scandal
• Daily Yomiuri – Worker exposed deception / Whistleblower informed JCP of Kyushu Electric’s plans
• Denki Shimbun – Increase in CO2 emissions forecast due to stagnation in nuclear power generation
• Denki Shimbun – Stress tests to be conducted at all NPSs in Japan
• Denki Shimbun – China moving toward establishing its first law on nuclear power
• Japan Times – Citizens’ radiation fears beyond crisis zone mount – MIZUHO AOKI and TAKAHIRO FUKADA
• Japan Times – Shikoku utility delays restarting of reactor
• Japan Times – Moms rally around antinuke cause – Junko Horiuchi
• Japan Times – Kaieda takes flak, vows to stay on – Natsuko Fukue
• Japan Times – Tepco simulates wave strikes – Kazuaki Nagata
• Japan Times – Nation lags in renewable energy
• Japan Times – Utility execs said behind talk-up
• Japan Times – Kan under fire from his own team – Masami Ito
• Japan Today – 3 quake-hit prefectures see net outflow of 30,000 residents
• Mainichi Daily News – Residents in radiation hotspots anxious about evacuating as deadline for decision looms
• Mainichi Daily News – Kyushu Electric executive’s order behind nuke plant restart email scandal
• Mainichi Daily News – Man freed after arrest for collecting radiation-contaminated rubble in Fukushima
• Mainichi Daily News – Kyushu Electric bid to manipulate public opinion on reactor restart a colossal mistake
• Mainichi Daily News – TEPCO temporarily halts cooling Fukushima Daini reactor
• Nikkei – Bank Lobby Chief: Passage of Bill A Must For Tepco Loans
• Nikkei – Troubled Nuclear Plant On Way To Stable Cooling This Month
• Nikkei – Shikoku Electric Postponed Nuclear Plant Test Run
• Nikkei – Kaieda: Kyushu Electric Scandal Shows Utilities’ Mindsets Unchanged Since Disaster
• BBC News – Japan Prime Minister Naoto Kan sorry for nuclear mix-up
• Bloomberg – Japan’s Nuclear Regulator Will Split From Trade Ministry – Chisaki Watanabe
• Reuters – Q&A:What do Japan’s reactor stress tests mean for nuclear power? – Chikako Mogi
• Reuters – Refile-Update 1-Japan’s nuclear industry credibility crumbles amid email scandal – Linda Sieg
• Reuters – Another Japan nuclear restart delayed as power crunch eyed – Stanley White and Risa Maeda
• Reuters – Analysis: Japan resolve to wean itself off nuclear power tested – Tomasz Janowski
• Reuters – Q+A-What’s going on at Japan’s crippled nuclear power plant? – Shinichi Saoshiro
• Reuters – Japan govt: nuclear safety more important than energy supply – Kiyoshi Takenaka
• UPI – Kan apologizes for nuclear safety order
• Xinhua News – Japanese PM apologizes for reactor restart flip-flop

Thursday, July 07, 2011

• Asahi Shimbun – Kyushu Electric president to resign over pro-nuke e-mails
• Asahi Shimbun – Genkai mayor retracts approval of reactor restarts after ‘surprise’ stress tests
• Asahi Shimbun – Editorial: Nuclear power plant ‘stress tests’ must be transparent
• Daily Yomiuri – Govt must swiftly ensure safety of N-reactors for early restart
• Daily Yomiuri – Mayor nixes Genkai plant reactivation
• Daily Yomiuri – Kyushu Electric admits lie
• Japan Times – Nuclear accident disclosure
• Japan Times – Firms branching out to mitigate disaster impact – Hiroko Nakata
• Japan Times – Water treatment, cooling systems finally working – Kazuaki Nagata
• Japan Times – Nuke crisis still drag on food exports
• Japan Times – Water treatment, cooling systems finally working – Kazuaki Nagata
• Japan Times – Kyushu Electric TV stunt slammed – Masami Ito
• Japan Times – Genkai mayor withdraws OK for two reactors’ restart – Masami Ito
• Mainichi Daily News – Nuke crisis refugees form association to preserve village-in-exile’s community ties
• Mainichi Daily News – PM Kan behind sudden decision, confusion on nuke plant ‘stress tests’
• Mainichi Daily News – Saga Pref. mayor retracts approval for reactivating local nuclear power station
• Mainichi Daily News – Saga governor not happy with gov’t decision on nuclear plant ‘stress tests’
• Mainichi Daily News – Major banks arranging up to 50 bil. yen loan to Kansai Electric
• Mainichi Daily News – Edano apologizes for stirring confusion over resuming nuke reactors
• Mainichi Daily News – Shikoku Electric unlikely to restart nuclear reactor Sunday as planned
• Mainichi Daily News – Some Asian countries delay nuclear programs in wake of Fukushima incident
• Mainichi Daily News – Japan invites foreign journalists to show recovery efforts in Tohoku
• Mainichi Daily News – Water treatment system operates below target rate at Fukushima plant
• Nikkei – Nuclear Stress-Test Plan Clouds Outlook For Plant Restarts, Politics
• Nikkei – Kyushu Elec President Hints At Resignation
• AFP Google – Checks may further delay Japan nuclear restart – David Watkins
• BBC News – Japan nuclear ‘stress test’ plans criticised
• BBC News – Japan: Lame-duck leaders struggle with crisis response – Charles Scanlon
• Bloomberg – Japan’s Legally Safe Reactors Still at Risk, Regulator Says – Stuart Biggs
• Bloomberg – Japan May Be Nuclear Free by May – Tsuyoshi Inajima and Chisaki Watanabe
• Bloomberg – Japan’s Legally Safe Reactors Still at Risk, Regulator Says – Stuart Biggs
• Bloomberg – Tepco Says 3 More Workers Exposed to Radiation Exceeding Limit – Tsuyoshi Inajima and Shunichi Ozasa
• GreenAction – Emergency Petition to Protect the Children of Fukushima
• Financial Times – Tokyo moves threaten nuclear restart – Jonathan Soble
• New York Times – President of Japan Nuclear Operator May Resign Over E-Mails – Martin Fackler
• Reuters – Japan nuclear restart in doubt as test plan provokes fury – Stanley White and Kiyoshi Takenaka
• Reuters – Tepco halts cooling system at nuclear plant after sparks-Kyodo – Shinichi Saoshiro
• Reuters – Update 1-Chubu: hard to buy CO2 credits to offset nuke shutdown – Risa Maeda
• Reuters – Japan’s Kaieda: reactors safe, no immediate plan to quit – Kiyoshi Takenaka
• Reuters – Japan Kaieda: to take blame for nuclear restart confusion – Rie Ishiguro
• Union of Concerned Scientists – Nuclear Crisis in Japan
• World Nuclear News – Fukushima water cleanup in action

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

• Asahi Shimbun – Two reactors ran at full capacity for months without final clearance
• Asahi Shimbun – Industry ministry to check reactors cooling systems
• Asahi Shimbun – Analysis: After ex-minister’s slurs hurt survivors, government takes fire
• Asahi Shimbun – Interview/ Ulrich Beck: System of organized irresponsibility behind the Fukushima crisis – Hirohito Ohno
• Asahi Shimbun – Sake brewers from Tohoku vow to rise again from the ashes – Louis Templado
• Japan Times – How the first 24 hours shaped Fukushima nuclear crisis
• Japan Times – All nuclear plants face ‘stress tests’
• Japan Times – Reactors kept on full test run; no formal nod
• Japan Times – Minister chokes on hard tack
• Japan Times – All reactors will face ‘stress tests’
• Japan Times – Unsanctioned reactors running on test mode
• Mainichi Daily News – Gov’t leaders created secret plan aiming to break up TEPCO after nuke crisis
• Mainichi Daily News – LDP to re-evaluate its nuclear power policy
• Mainichi Daily News – Fukushima nuclear crisis an exhibition of panic by the elite
• Nikkei – Saga Gov Asks Edano To Clarify Position On Nuclear Restarts
• Nikkei – Kyushu Electric Sought To Distort Local Views Over Reactors Restart
• AP Google – Japan nuclear plants to undergo ‘stress tests’ – Tomoko A. Hosaka
• BBC News – Hot spring solution for Japan’s energy problem
• BBC News – Mitsubishi says nuclear power has to regain ‘trust’
• BBC News – Japan to hold stress tests at all nuclear plants
• BBC News – Japan’s cabinet approves $24.7bn for disaster relief
• Bloomberg – Japan Disaster Will Slow Nuclear Energy Growth, CH2M Hill Says – Luzi Ann Javier
• Bloomberg – Japan Has Two Reactors Without Approval as Fukushima Raises Safety Concern – Tsuyoshi Inajima and Chisaki Watanabe
• Bloomberg – Japan to Carry Out ‘Stress Tests’ on All Nuclear Reactors, Minister Says – Tsuyoshi Inajima and Chisaki Watanabe
• Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists – Fukushima: What don’t we know?
• The Guardian – Japan faces power shortages due to nuclear shutdowns – Justin McCurry in Tokyo
• NEI Nuclear Notes – Robot Tests Radiation in Fukushima Reactor Building
• Reuters – Refile-Japan’s first nuclear restart in doubt after stress test proposal – Kiyoshi Takenaka
• Reuters – Japan local governments step back from nuclear restarts – Kiyoshi Takenaka
• Reuters – Japan working out conditions for reactor restarts-Kyodo – Linda Sieg
• Reuters – Japan considers stress tests for nuclear reactors – Osamu Tsukimori and Risa Maeda
• Voice of Russia – Fukushima-1: secrets revealed – Levkov Igor

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

• Asahi Shimbun – Lessen reliance on nuclear power, ex-adviser to Kan says – Naoki Tsuzaka
• Daily Yomiuri – FROM SQUARE ONE / Govt panel paves way for payouts
• Daily Yomiuri – Some produce exports hit zero / Exports of agricultural goods plummet following N-crisis
• Daily Yomiuri – FROM SQUARE ONE / Covering TEPCO’s compensation bill / A briefing on the government plan to help utility make payments
• Daily Yomiuri – FROM SQUARE ONE / Bill passage unlikely to get green light without modifications
• Denki Shimbun – Japan and China to construct info-sharing system for nuclear accidents
• Japan Times – Utility seeks support toward Hamaoka restart
• Japan Times – Reconstruction minister quits after week – MASAMI ITO and NATSUKO FUKUE
• Japan Times – Crisis may worsen lack of nuclear skills
• Japan Times – Cutting power at night may be overdoing it – Minoru Matsutani
• Japan Times – Tepco hit up for rumor damages
• Japan Times – Tepco pledges ¥300,000 more to each evacuee
• Japan Times – Nippon Life mulls more Tepco loans
• Japan Times – 45% of kids sustained thyroid radiation
• Japan Times – Cabinet OKs ¥2 trillion quake-aid budget
• Japan Times – Reconstruction minister quits after week – MASAMI ITO and NATSUKO FUKUE
• Japan Times – 45% of kids sustained thyroid radiation
• Mainichi Daily News – Japan’s reconstruction minister quits after offending quake victims
• Mainichi Daily News – Town agrees to restart of Genkai nuclear reactors due to dependence on subsidies
• Mainichi Daily News – European Union to require radiation checks on food from Shizuoka
• NHK – NHK Special – Japan’s Nuclear Crisis, Part 1
• Nikkei – Tepco: To Pay Extra Compensation of Y100,000-Y300,000 Per Evacuee
• AFP Google – Japan to conduct ‘stress test’ on nuclear plants
• AFP Google – Japan groups alarmed by radioactive soil
• AFP Google – Japan cabinet OKs second disaster recovery budget
• AFP Google – Japan minister quits, fresh blow to PM – Hiroshi Hiyama
• BBC News – Japan ‘to hold stress tests at all nuclear plants’
• BBC News – Japan’s cabinet approves $24.7bn for disaster relief
• Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists – Japan’s nuclear history in perspective: Eisenhower and atoms for war and peace – Peter Kuznick
• Green Prophet – Dr. Helen Caldicott: Fukushima Nuclear Meltdown Much Worse Than Chernobyl – Maurice Picow
• NPR – What Went Wrong In Fukushima: The Human Factor – Richard Harris
• Reuters – Update 1-Japan to conduct stress tests on all nuclear reactors -Jiji – Osamu Tsukimori and Stanley White
• Reuters – Japan can’t reject nuclear power out of hand: lawmaker – Linda Sieg
• Reuters – Japan eyes first nuclear restart since quake – Chikako Mogi
• Reuters AlertNet – Feature-Fukushima residents dump radiated soil in absence of clean-up plan – Antoni Slodkowski
• Reuters – Japan eyes first nuclear restart since quake – Chikako Mogi
• Reuters – Japan can’t reject nuclear power out of hand: lawmaker – Linda Sieg
• Reuters – Update 1-Japan cabinet approves $25 bln more for disaster relief – Tetsushi Kajimoto
• Reuters – Corrected-Update 2-Japan reconstruction minister quits in fresh blow to PM – Shinichi Saoshiro
• UPI – Japan mayor opts to restart reactors

Monday, July 04, 2011

• Daily Yomiuri – N-fuel cycle policy at crucial juncture / Key fuel reprocessing facility has uncertain future as debt, problems mount – Takeshi Kurihara
• Daily Yomiuri – Genkai mayor OK’s restart of N-reactors
• Japan Times – Safety of Genkai nuclear plant
• Japan Times – Genkai mayor OKs restart of reactors
• Mainichi Daily News – 51 percent opposed to restarting nuclear reactors in Japan: Mainichi poll
• Mainichi Daily News – Ibaraki tourism body seeks 1.8 bil. yen in damages from TEPCO
• Mainichi Daily News – Saga town mayor approves restart of Genkai nuclear reactors
• Mainichi Daily News – Tsuruga reactor not equipped with vent to relieve pressure
• AFP Google – TEPCO shares close up 20% in Tokyo trade
• BBC News – Life on the edge of Japan’s nuclear contamination zone – Roland Buerk
• Bloomberg – Fukushima May Worsen Nuclear Skill Shortage – Kari Lundgren
• Bloomberg – Radioactive Cesium Is Found in Tokyo Tap Water for First Time Since April – Pavel Alpeyev
• Bloomberg – Tepco Starts Full Operation of Self-Contained Cooling System – Tsuyoshi Inajima
• Global Research – Fukushima Cover Up Unravels – Washington’s Blog
• Press TV – “Fukushima Nuclear Accident was Predictable” – Michael Penn
• Reuters – Feature-Crisis brings angst, no answers to Japan’s Atomic Arcade – Linda Sieg
• Science News – Chernobyl’s lessons for Japan – Janet Raloff
• Xinhua News – 2 nuclear reactors in southwestern Japan to restart