Almost 600 people have been confirmed dead in Friday's earthquake that severely hit wide areas of northeastern Japan.
An additional 400 to 500 bodies found in Miyagi Prefecture are likely to bring the death toll to more than 1,000.
Of the 563 people confirmed dead in the Tohoku region as of 3 PM local time, 221 were in Iwate Prefecture, 190 in Fukushima, 149 in Miyagi, 2 in Aomori and one in Yamagata respectively.
In addition, local police were told that 200 to 300 bodies have been found in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, but they are unable to enter the site to retrieve them.
Another 100 bodies have been transported to a gymnasium in Iwanuma City and a similar number recovered in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture.
More than 190 people remain missing in Iwate, Fukushima, Miyagi and Aomori prefectures.
Saturday, March
2011年3月12日土曜日
More than 650 believed dead in quake
The scale of the death and destruction following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan is growing worse by the hour. 451 people have been confirmed dead and at least 200 others are believed to be dead.
On top of that, more than 750 people are missing in several prefectures in the country's northeast.
Police say 200 to 300 unidentified bodies have been found in the city of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture. A tsunami made its way 10 kilometers inland from the coast. 81 people have been confirmed dead in the prefecture.
In Iwate Prefecture, 215 people have been confirmed dead. Police there say more than 214 are missing in coastal areas. The government says the city of Rikuzen-takata is nearly devastated.
In Fukushima Prefecture, 117 people are reported to have been killed and more than 503 are missing.
In Yamagata Prefecture, a woman who fell during an escape after the quake died on Saturday morning.
In Aomori Prefecture, one person was found dead in a passenger car in Hachinohe City. The car is believed to have been swept away by a tsunami. The scope of the damage by the tsunami there is not yet known.
In Hakodate, Hokkaido, a man was found dead in a submerged apartment building.
At least 34 people have been confirmed dead in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures.
In the Japanese capital, 4 people were killed after a building partially collapsed.
On top of that, more than 750 people are missing in several prefectures in the country's northeast.
Police say 200 to 300 unidentified bodies have been found in the city of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture. A tsunami made its way 10 kilometers inland from the coast. 81 people have been confirmed dead in the prefecture.
In Iwate Prefecture, 215 people have been confirmed dead. Police there say more than 214 are missing in coastal areas. The government says the city of Rikuzen-takata is nearly devastated.
In Fukushima Prefecture, 117 people are reported to have been killed and more than 503 are missing.
In Yamagata Prefecture, a woman who fell during an escape after the quake died on Saturday morning.
In Aomori Prefecture, one person was found dead in a passenger car in Hachinohe City. The car is believed to have been swept away by a tsunami. The scope of the damage by the tsunami there is not yet known.
In Hakodate, Hokkaido, a man was found dead in a submerged apartment building.
At least 34 people have been confirmed dead in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures.
In the Japanese capital, 4 people were killed after a building partially collapsed.
2011年3月3日木曜日
Japanese suicides exceed 30,000 for 13th year
The number of suicides in Japan last year exceeded 30,000 for the 13th year in a row, with more young people killing themselves after failing to get jobs.
The National Police Agency said on Thursday that the number of people who took their lives in 2010 was 31,690, down 3.5 percent from the previous year.
People in their 50s accounted for the largest number of suicides at nearly 6,000, followed by those in their 60s and 40s.
About half of those who committed suicide are believed to have done so due to health problems such as depression and physical illness. The next most common reason is thought to be economic hardship.
Among those taking their lives due to economic problems, 424 are thought to have done so because of failure to get jobs. The number has increased for three years in a row.
Of those who committed suicide due to such failure, the number of people in their 20s totaled 153, up 25 percent from the previous year.
The government says the severe employment situation for university graduates is believed to be one reason behind the increase, and is strengthening anti-suicide measures in cooperation with universities.
Thursday, March 03, 2011 17:53 +0900 (JST)
The National Police Agency said on Thursday that the number of people who took their lives in 2010 was 31,690, down 3.5 percent from the previous year.
People in their 50s accounted for the largest number of suicides at nearly 6,000, followed by those in their 60s and 40s.
About half of those who committed suicide are believed to have done so due to health problems such as depression and physical illness. The next most common reason is thought to be economic hardship.
Among those taking their lives due to economic problems, 424 are thought to have done so because of failure to get jobs. The number has increased for three years in a row.
Of those who committed suicide due to such failure, the number of people in their 20s totaled 153, up 25 percent from the previous year.
The government says the severe employment situation for university graduates is believed to be one reason behind the increase, and is strengthening anti-suicide measures in cooperation with universities.
Thursday, March 03, 2011 17:53 +0900 (JST)
2011年3月2日水曜日
Police identify suspect of exam cheating
Japanese police have identified a suspect in a case involving online posting of university entrance exam questions while the tests were underway.
The police say the suspect is an examinee for Kyoto University who lives in the Tohoku region, in northern Japan.
The police had been trying to identify who sent exam questions to Yahoo Japan's online question-and-answer site while exams at 4 universities were in progress.
The universities -- Kyoto, Doshisha, Waseda and Rikkyo -- filed criminal complaints with local police on Monday, saying offenders obstructed them from conducting fair exams.
The police, in cooperation with Yahoo, found that the same NTT DOCOMO cell phone had been used at all 4 universities, and that the phone had been bought by the suspect at a shop in the Tohoku region.
The police are interviewing the examinee and investigating to find possible accomplices.
The police say the suspect is an examinee for Kyoto University who lives in the Tohoku region, in northern Japan.
The police had been trying to identify who sent exam questions to Yahoo Japan's online question-and-answer site while exams at 4 universities were in progress.
The universities -- Kyoto, Doshisha, Waseda and Rikkyo -- filed criminal complaints with local police on Monday, saying offenders obstructed them from conducting fair exams.
The police, in cooperation with Yahoo, found that the same NTT DOCOMO cell phone had been used at all 4 universities, and that the phone had been bought by the suspect at a shop in the Tohoku region.
The police are interviewing the examinee and investigating to find possible accomplices.
Spring torch festival begins in Nara
In Japan's ancient capital of Nara, a time-honored torch ceremony at Todaiji Temple heralds the arrival of spring.
The traditional fire and water ceremony called "Shuni-e" or "Omizutori" dates back to the 8th century Nara Period. On this occasion Buddhist monks engage in ascetic training and pray for national stability.
The main ritual called "Otaimatsu" started on Tuesday night. Guided by 6-meter-long torches weighing about 40 kilograms each, the monks solemnly climbed the long stone stairs to the temple's "Nigatsudo" hall.
Their assistants waved the huge torches from the balustrade of the hall, scattering sparks onto the crowd for good health.
Some 3,500 visitors reached out for the falling embers. The ritual takes place each night to March 14th.
The traditional fire and water ceremony called "Shuni-e" or "Omizutori" dates back to the 8th century Nara Period. On this occasion Buddhist monks engage in ascetic training and pray for national stability.
The main ritual called "Otaimatsu" started on Tuesday night. Guided by 6-meter-long torches weighing about 40 kilograms each, the monks solemnly climbed the long stone stairs to the temple's "Nigatsudo" hall.
Their assistants waved the huge torches from the balustrade of the hall, scattering sparks onto the crowd for good health.
Some 3,500 visitors reached out for the falling embers. The ritual takes place each night to March 14th.
2011年3月1日火曜日
Tokyo Sky Tree exceeds 600m in height
A broadcasting tower under construction in eastern Tokyo surpassed 600 meters above the ground on Tuesday to become the world's tallest tower.
The developer of the Tokyo Sky Tree says work is progressing on hauling up the structure's steel antenna housing through an interior shaft. When the antenna is in place, the tower's total height will be 634 meters.
The structure has now exceeded 601 meters, surpassing the 600-meter Canton Tower in Guangzhou, southern China.
Many spectators gathered around the Sky Tree on Tuesday to take photos.
A housewife visiting from Osaka said she felt lucky to witness the record-setting moment.
Another man said he comes to take pictures once a week, and will continue to do so until the work is completed.
The structure, which will house 2 observatories and commercial facilities, is scheduled to begin operation in spring 2012 as the world's tallest broadcasting tower.
Tuesday, Ma
The developer of the Tokyo Sky Tree says work is progressing on hauling up the structure's steel antenna housing through an interior shaft. When the antenna is in place, the tower's total height will be 634 meters.
The structure has now exceeded 601 meters, surpassing the 600-meter Canton Tower in Guangzhou, southern China.
Many spectators gathered around the Sky Tree on Tuesday to take photos.
A housewife visiting from Osaka said she felt lucky to witness the record-setting moment.
Another man said he comes to take pictures once a week, and will continue to do so until the work is completed.
The structure, which will house 2 observatories and commercial facilities, is scheduled to begin operation in spring 2012 as the world's tallest broadcasting tower.
Tuesday, Ma
Takarazuka school graduates 34 actresses
Thirty-four young women have graduated from the Takarazuka Music School, a prestigious academy affiliated with an all-female musical theater troupe in Takarazuka City, near Osaka.
Two years ago, the women were selected from 800 applicants to study dancing and singing.
At a ceremony on Tuesday, each graduate was dressed in black kimonos and dark green hakama skirts, as is traditional on such occasions at the school.
Principal Fumio Iwasaki handed each student her graduation certificate.
Student representative Azusa Fukamori said the ties they formed at the academy will never disappear. She said they will work hard while dreaming of the day they will bloom like a large flower.
The students will join the professional Takarazuka Revue Company and make their debut on April 15.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011 14:23 +
Two years ago, the women were selected from 800 applicants to study dancing and singing.
At a ceremony on Tuesday, each graduate was dressed in black kimonos and dark green hakama skirts, as is traditional on such occasions at the school.
Principal Fumio Iwasaki handed each student her graduation certificate.
Student representative Azusa Fukamori said the ties they formed at the academy will never disappear. She said they will work hard while dreaming of the day they will bloom like a large flower.
The students will join the professional Takarazuka Revue Company and make their debut on April 15.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011 14:23 +
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