Tsukiji outer market opens information center

An information center has opened at Tsukiji fish market's outer area in Tokyo, for visitors such as professional chefs and Japanese and international tourists. A local non-profit organization established Plat Tsukiji in the outer market, which has many wholesale and retail shops and restaurants. The Tsukiji market area is a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Services are available in Japanese and English from 8 AM to 2 PM from Mondays to Saturdays and from 10 AM to 2 PM on Sundays and holidays. Insulated bags to carry marine produce are available for purchase. Visitors can also take a break at the center. The chief director of the NPO corporation, which operates the information center, Akio Suzuki said they hope to draw many people to the market by giving them information about high quality foods used by professionals.

Hiroshima marks 67th a-bomb anniversary

Hiroshima has marked the 67th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the city by calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons and the development of energy sources that are safe and secure. About 50,000 people gathered on Monday at Hiroshima's Peace Park near ground zero. At the memorial ceremony, attended by representatives of about 70 countries, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui referred to the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant last year. He called on the government to establish an energy policy that would protect the safety and security of citizens. An updated list of 280,959 victims was placed at the cenotaph. It contains the names of 5,729 who died or were confirmed dead in the past year. The peace bell was rung at 8:15 AM to mark the exact time the atomic bomb was dropped, and all participants observed a moment of silence. In the Peace Declaration, Mayor Matsui said Japan learned a lesson from the Fukushima nuclear accident and is now engaged in a national debate over its energy policy. He noted that some voices are insisting that humankind and nuclear energy cannot co-exist. He said Japan must take a bolder role in leading global disarmament efforts. He also urged the government expand its support for people affected by black rain, a term used to describe the radioactive fallout from the atomic bomb. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in his speech also referred to the Fukushima accident, saying the government is doing all it can to help people affected by the disaster return to their normal lives as soon as possible. He also said the government will try to establish a new structure of energy sources that people feel at ease with, and that fits Japan's goal of reducing dependency on nuclear power generation. Mayor Tamotsu Baba of Namie Town in Fukushima was among the participants. His town is still within the evacuation zone. He told reporters that the March 11th disaster and the bombing 67 years ago were tragic in many similar ways. He said he has shared the hardship of being exposed to radiation with atomic bomb survivors. Events to renew the pledge for peace will continue through the day in Hiroshima. Aug. 6, 2012 - Updated 03:56 UTC (12:56 J