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2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

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2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

 

We are grateful to all of the people of the United States for your assistance and support


Japan's road to recovery and rebirth (Op-ed by Prime Minister Kan to Washington Post)

Message from Prime Minister Naoto Kan - Kizuna - The Bonds of Friendship -
Message from Prime Minister Naoto Kan Regarding Assistance Received from Overseas

 

Information from the Embassy of Japan in the United States Link can be found here

 

The Prime Minister and his Cabinet Office Website

Ministry of Foreign Affaris Official Website

Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency

Official Twitter Account of the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan

Twitter Updates from the Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Public Relations, Mr. Shikata

Foreign Press Center/Japan (FPCJ)

 

Information Regarding the Great East Japan Earthquake

<News>

Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (October 13, 2011 at 11:16am)

Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (October 12, 2011 at 04:03pm)

Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (October 12, 2011 at 11:10am)

Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (October 11, 2011 at 10:44am)

Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (October 7, 2011 at 06:13pm)

 

<Latest Information on the Seismic and Tsunami Damages to the Nuclear Power Stations (NPSs) in Japan>

1. [METI] Reading of Environmental Radioactivity Level by Prefecture

2. [NISA] Seismic Damage Information

 

<Information on Safety in Relation to Radiactivity Level>

1) Food and water safety
• Detection of radioactive materials in tap water, instructions associated with food by Director-General of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters, etc (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

2) Transport and shipment safety
• Japan Air Transport(Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
• Measurement of radiation doses around the Metropolitan Airports (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
• Navigational Warnings(Japan Coast Guard)
• Measurement of radiation doses around the Port of Tokyo and Yokohama (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

3) Reading of radioactivity level
• Reading of environmental radioactivity level by prefecture, Time series data (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)

4) Today's Updates

• [[MLIT] Monitoring of air and seawater radiation in the ports. Currently, the radiation level of air and seawater in Tokyo metropolitan, Yokohama city, Kawaski city and Ichihara city (Chiba) are as shown at very safe level to health.

• [MLIT] Measurement of radiation doses around the Metropolitan Airports.

• [NSC] Evaluation of Environment Radiation Monitoring Results

5) Information from International Organizations

• See, MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism) Website

 

<Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki talks about the Great East Japan Earthquake and its aftermath>

April 7 (Thu.)
WUSA9 (Channel9) "9NEWS NOW at Noon"

March 22 (Tue.)
PBS "PBS NEWSHOUR"

March 13 (Mon.)
NPR “Weekend Edition”

MSNBC “Meet the Press”

CNN “State of the Union with Candy Crowley”

March 12 (Sun.)
CNN “The Situation Room”

March 11 (Sat.)
FOX TV Channel “Special Report with Bret Baier”

CNN “Piers Morgan Tonight”(Copyright (C) 2010 CNN “Piers Morgan Tonight" All rights reserved. )

 

Information for Donations and Offers of Assistance Link can be found here

 

Other Helpful Information on the Earthquake and Tsunami

> Inquiries of Safety of US Citizens in Japan

• Department of State Email: japanemergencyusc@state.gov Tel: +1-888-407-4747  (Within the US)

• Japan's Ministry of Justice - Check to see if specific Foreign Nationals have left Japan

• Family Links (International Committee of the Red Cross)

• Google Crisis Response

 

> News Feeds and Information in English

• NHK World News (video) in English
• NHK World Radio & Podcast in English

 

Archive


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Current situation and the Government of Japan's response

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Current situation and the Government of Japan's response

1. Outlines

Overview of the earthquake disaster and the Government of Japan's response

  1. (1) Around 14:46 on March 11, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 struck Sanriku Coast, Japan. The ensuing tsunami swept across many cities and villages along the Pacific coast of the Tohoku district, causing tremendous human and structural damage. In Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, tsunami waves of over 8.5 meters high (maximum) were observed. Tokyo also observed tremors with a seismic intensity of 5-strong, but damage there was relatively modest. On April 7, an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 occurred, with its epicenter off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture. On April 11, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck, with its epicenter in the Hamadori area, Fukushima Prefecture.
  2. (2) Immediately after the earthquake, the Government of Japan set up its emergency headquarters with former Prime Minister Kan at the helm, making all-out efforts for search and rescue, assisting evacuees, and reconstructing various lifelines, in liaison with all government bodies and local governments. Efforts have also been being made by the whole government to support the early recovery of people's lives and economic activity. On March 17, for example, the Cabinet Office set up the Headquarters for Special Measures to Assist the Lives of Disaster Victims. On April 11, the Cabinet decided to assemble the Reconstruction Design Council in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake.
  3. (3) Sympathies have been expressed and assistance offered from around the world. So far, rescue teams, medical assistance teams, and disaster relief teams from 23 countries and regions as well as the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have arrived Japan and have been in operation. Also, the U.S. Forces in Japan are extending assistance.
  4. (4) The earthquake and tsunami resulted in emergency situations including failure of the reactor-cooling systems in TEPCO(Tokyo Electric Power Company)'s nuclear power stations in Fukushima Prefecture. Responses have been taken with regards to these situations. (For more information, please refer to Ensuring safety of nuclear power stations.)
  5. (5) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has been undertaking coordination with respect to acceptance of foreign rescue teams, etc., communication with the diplomatic corps and the foreign press corps, and confirmation of the safety of foreign nationals, among other measures. Japan's overseas missions are accepting relief money from private organizations, etc., of foreign countries.
  6. (6) On April 1, the Government of Japan decided, in the form of a Cabinet approval, to use the name "Great East Japan Earthquake" to refer collectively to the disasters due to the Tohoku - Pacific Ocean Earthquake on March 11, 2011 and the resultant nuclear plant accidents.
  7. (7) On April 4, three high-ranking MOFA officials visited four prefectures affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, with former State Secretary Chiaki Takahashi going to Iwate, former Parliamentary Vice-Minister Makiko Kikuta to Miyagi, and former Parliamentary Vice-Minister Hisashi Tokunaga to Fukushima and Tochigi for purpose of the Ministry's future activities in the wake of the quake. On April 23, former Minister Matsumoto visited Minami-Sanrikucho, Miyagi Prefecture, along with Prime Minister Gillard of Australia, who was visiting Japan, to encourage those who suffered from the disaster. On May 10, former Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta visited Fukushima Prefecture.
  8. On May 11, former Minister Matsumoto hosted a "Thank-You Gathering" at Iikura Kokan, inviting members of the diplomatic corps and international institutions stationed in Tokyo, and those working on assistance activities including NGO personnel, etc.
  9. On May 21, when the leaders of China and South Korea, who were in Japan to attend the Fourth Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting, visited the afflicted areas and evacuation centers in Sendai City and Fukushima Prefecture, former Minister Matsumoto accompanied them. (click here for the summary of the Fourth Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting.)
  10. (8) On June 25, the 12th meeting of the Reconstruction Design Council in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake was held. At the meeting, a report of recommendations entitled, "Towards Reconstruction - Hope beyond the Disaster," was adopted and handed to former Prime Minister Naoto Kan by Dr. Makoto Iokibe, Chair of the Council.
  11. (9) The Reconstruction Headquarters in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake was established pursuant to the Basic Act on Reconstruction, which was put into force on June 24. The Headquarters announced the outline of the Basic Policy for Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake and the finalized Basic Policy for Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake on July 21 and 29, respectively.

2. Damages

  1. (1) The earthquake and tsunami devastated Tohoku and other regions. Damages were inflicted in Kanto district, too. The number of deaths is 15,774, the number of injured is 5,929, and the number of missing is 4,227 (as of September 7 according to the National Police Agency). The number of those evacuated is 78,852 (as of August 25 at 18:00 according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency).
  2. (2) Power, gas, and water supplies were disrupted in many areas, mostly in the Tohoku region. Roads, railways, airports and other infrastructure were also severely damaged. Almost all roads have been reopened, including the Tohoku Expressway, most of the Joban Expressway as well as national highways. Railways are also back in operation. On April 29, services were resumed at all sections of the Tohoku Shinkansen Line. Sendai Airport resumed operations from April 13 and normalized domestic flight operations on July 25. About 53 percent of the 21 ports in prefectures along the Pacific coast, from Aomori all the way down to Ibaraki, have already been restored. Progress has also been made in the construction of temporary housing, allowing evacuation centers in Iwate Prefecture to be closed by the end of August. The whole nation has been working towards rehabilitation.

3. Sympathies from countries and regions around the world

  1. (1) Many sympathies, as well as expressions of solidarity, have been offered from countries and regions around the world as well as international organizations, including in the form of video-messages (YouTube United Nations Videos)other site.
  2. (2) Prime Minister Noda had telephone talks with President Obama of the United States, President Medvedev of Russia, and Premier Wen of China.

    Former Prime Minister Kan had telephone talks with President Obama of the United States, President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Gillard of Australia, President Medvedev of Russia, Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations, President Sarkozy of France, President Van Rompuy of the European Council, Prime Minister Singh of India, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, Chancellor Merkel of Germany, and Premier Wen of China. Former Prime Minister Kan also had talks with visiting President Sarkozy of France, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, ROK President Lee Myung-bak, President Gnassingbe of Togo, President Yudhoyono of Indonesia and Vice President Biden of the United States, and a working dinner with Prime Minister Gillard of Australia, and received a courtesy call from Director General Amano of the IAEA, Secretary of State Clinton of the United States, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Nkoana-Mashabane of South Africa, Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party Sang of the Viet Nam Central Committee, Senator Inouye of the United States, Prime Minister Puna of the Cook Islands, Chairman Sohn Hak-kyu of the ROK Democratic Party, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Naryshkin of Russia, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations and others.

    In addition, former Prime Minister Kan visited France and Belgium to attend the G8 Summit 2011 in Deauville, and had talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, President Sarkozy of France, Prime Minister Harper of Canada, President Obama of the United States, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, Chancellor Merkel of Germany and President Medvedev of Russia. On the occasion of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Follow-up Meeting in Tokyo, former Prime Minister Kan received a courtesy call from three dignitaries of the co-organizers: United Nations Development Programme Administrator Helen Clark, United Nations Children's Fund Executive Director Anthony Lake, and World Bank Managing Director Mahmoud Mohieldin.

  3. (3) Minister for Foreign Affairs Gemba had a telephone talk with Secretary of State Clinton of the United States and expressed the appreciation of the Japanese government for the country's support.

    As shown below, former Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto released the information on the disaster and expressed the appreciation of the Japanese government for their support in speaking opportunities such as meetings with foreign dignitaries and international conferences.

  4. August:  First Vice Prime-Minister Babanov of Kyrgyz Republic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations, Quebec Premier Charest of Canada, Commissioner-General Grandi of the UNRWA.
    July:  Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Vice President Xi Jinping and State Councilor Dai Bingguo of China, the three co-Chairs of the Transitional Committee for the design of the Green Climate Fund, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, the 12th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Japan-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Foreign Minister Rudd of Australia, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario of the Philippines, Foreign Minister Baird of Canada, the 18th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting, Secretary of State Clinton of the United States, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Zandanshatar of Mongolia, Director General Amano of the IAEA.
    June:  Foreign Secretary Espinosa of Mexico, Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party Sang of the Viet Nam Central Committee, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Follow-up Meeting, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Clark, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Nkoana-Mashabane of South Africa, the Fourth Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the V4 countries and Japan ("V4+Japan"), Foreign Minister Martonyi of Hungary, Foreign Minister Wanna Maung Lwin of Myanmar, External Affairs Minister Krishna of India, Foreign Minister Shanmugam of Singapore, the Tenth ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM 10), Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario of the Philippines, President of the Chamber of Deputies Ramirez of Mexico, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Hassan of Jordan, President Gnassingbe and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ohin of Togo, Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag Kauder, new ROK ambassador to Japan Shin Kak-soo, Prime Minister Puna of the Cook Islands, President Yudhoyono and Foreign Minister Marty of Indonesia, Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (2+2), Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore, the 41st Mercosur Summit Meeting, President Lugo of Paraguay, Foreign Minister Moreno of Chile, Minister of External Relations Patriota of Brazil.
    May:  The Third TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting, Japan-EU Economic Ministerial Meeting, Prime Minister Leterme of the Kingdom of Belgium, President Barroso of the European Commission, Commissioner Dalli of the European Commission, Secretary General Rasmussen of NATO, Commissioner Barnier of the European Commission, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-hwan of the ROK, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi of China, Foreign Minister Kefi of Tunisia, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai of Viet Nam. Prime Minister Najib of Malaysia, Foreign Minister McCully of New Zealand, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Ferreyros of Peru.
    April:  Foreign Minister Westerwelle of Germany (twice), Foreign Minister McCully of New Zealand, The Special ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting (Foreign Minister Marty of Indonesia, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya of Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong of Cambodia, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario of the Philippines, Mr. Phongsavath Boupha, Minister to the Presidential Palace of Laos), Foreign Minister Timerman of Argentina, Foreign Minister Patriota of Brazil, Secretary of State Clinton of the United States (twice), Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Nkoana-Mashabane of South Africa, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Asselborn of Luxembourg, Secretary General Gurria of the OECD, Prime Minister Gillard of Australia, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration Polye of Papua New Guinea, Minister of State for International Cooperation@Al-Attiyah of Qatar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Milososki of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Foreign Minister Rudd of Australia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah of the United Arab Emirates.
    March:  Foreign Secretary Hague of the United Kingdom, Secretary of State Clinton of the United States (three times), Foreign Minister Rudd of Australia, Foreign Minister McCully of New Zealand, Foreign Minister Lavrov of Russia, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union (EU) Ashton, Foreign Minister Juppe of France, Foreign Minister Patriota of Brazil, Director General Amano of the IAEA, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-hwan of the ROK, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi of China, Foreign Minister Marty of Indonesia.

4. Emergency assistance from overseas countries and regions

  • Map of rescue teams' operations [PDF]
  • Schedule of Operations of Rescue Teams from Foreign Countries, Regions and International Organizations [PDF]
  • List of Relief Supplies and Donations from Overseas [PDF]
  • Donations Received by the Japanese Red Cross Society from Other National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (other site)
  1. (1) So far 163 countries and regions as well as 43 international organizations have expressed their intentions to extend assistance.
  2. (2) So far, rescue, medical support and disaster relief teams from 24 countries and regions (Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the ROK, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, the U.K., the U.S.), as well as the UNDAC team, the UNOCHA, FAO, an IAEA expert team, and the WFP have arrived Japan and have been operating in disaster-stricken areas. (The list includes countries and regions which have already left the site.) Surveys have been conducted by UN organizations and other institutions related to disaster relief. Japan has received relief goods and donations from countries and regions throughout the world, as well as from international organizations.
  3. (3) On the evening of March 11, former Foreign Minister Matsumoto formally requested U.S. Ambassador Roos for the assistance of the U.S. Forces in Japan. U.S. Forces have been conducting large-scale aid activities (Operation Tomodachi), with about 20 ships and about 160 aircraft as well as over 20,000 personnel (at their peak). (More information)
  4. (4) Australia's C17 aircraft has been providing transportation assistance in Japan, and urgently transported a special pump needed for cooling TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant from Australia.
  5. (5) Medical relief teams from around the world have carried out operations in Japan.
  6. (6) Japan's overseas missions are accepting relief money for this earthquake. As of July 15, 2011, a total of about 8,020 million yen has been received (the figure represents the sum converted into yen at official exchange rates). The aggregate amount received at Japan's overseas missions does not represent the total relief money from the countries and regions concerned; donations of relief money are also made directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society or through local red cross and red crescent societies, as well as through many other channels. Relief money received at Japan's overseas missions is sent, via the Japanese Red Cross Society and other organizations, to local public entities, which in turn distribute the relief money among the affected people. NGOs, private companies and individuals around the world have extended or offered numerous donations and/or assistance. At least 43 NGOs from 16 countries are known to have arrived in Japan to date.
    The Japan Platform (JPF) (other site), a Japanese NGO, has announced that it will act as a point of contact for overseas NGOs' relief operations in Japan, in collaboration with the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC) (other site). Japanese NGOs for international cooperation that belong to the JPF are engaged in relief activities in the afflicted areas.

Confirming safety of foreign nationals in Japan

Information from the Immigration Bureau
Relating to the Great East Japan Earthquake

Information includes the followings:

  1. Confirming the safety of victims ( inquiries on departure facts )
  2. Opening times of the immigration offices
  3. Consultation service relating to Tohoku - Pacific Ocean Earthquake Disaster
  4. Immigration control measures for extension of the period of stay and other related matters in accordance with the occurrence of Tohoku - Pacific Ocean Earthquake Disaster

More information (Ministry of Justice) (other site)

  1. (1) Diplomatic corps in Tokyo and staff members of international organizations have been confirmed safe. The Consulate General's office of the ROK in Sendai (the only foreign mission in six prefectures of the Tohoku district) has confirmed the safety of its staff members.
  2. (2) The safety of JICA trainees and visitors under the programs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan Foundation has been confirmed.
  3. (3) Information regarding the safety of foreign nationals living in the Tohoku district is being gathered in liaison with related ministries and organizations, respective embassies in Tokyo, travel agencies, and other institutions.
  4. (4) The Japan Red Cross and the International Committee for the Red Cross have established websites ( http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/ (other site) ) to confirm the safety of foreigners living in Japan.
  5. (5) List of the Local Governments in Tohoku district (Earthquake Information Inquiry [PDF] )

Information for foreign nationals

To Foreign Nationals Who Wish to Postpone Their Visit to Japan owing to the Great East Japan Earthquake

English [PDF], Chinese [PDF], Korean [PDF], Portuguese [PDF], Russian [PDF], Spanish [PDF]

Foreign Nationals Wishing to Enter Japan with Expired Certificate of Eligibility due to the Great East Japan Earthquake (Termination of Special Measure)

English [PDF]

Students Wishing to Re-enter Japan without a Re-entry Permit due to the Great East Japan Earthquake (Termination of Special Measure)

English [PDF]

For Those Who had been Staying in Japan with the Status of Residence "Technical Intern Training" or "Trainee" and Left Japan without Obtaining a Re-entry Permit due to the Great East Japan Earthquake

English [PDF], Chinese [PDF]

  • Legal Counseling for Foreigners(Japan Federation of Bar Associations) other site
  • For Foreign Nationals unaccounted for in connection with the Great East Japan Earthquake (March 16, 2011)
  • Extension of the period of validity of the re-entry permit to Japan (March 23, 2011)
  • Acceptance of Relief Money through Japan's Overseas Missions in Response to Tohoku - Pacific Ocean Earthquake (March 16, 2011)

Ensuring safety of nuclear power stations

  • FAQs: Japan nuclear concerns (WHO)
    • Food safety (other site)
    • Drinking water safety (other site)
  • The Release of Low-Level Contaminated Water into the Ocean from the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (April 9, 2011)
  • Basic facts regading radiation exposure, general information on decontamination methods, etc (National Institute of Radiological Sciences) (other site)
  • Reading of environmental radioactivity level (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) (other site)
  • Map: Radioactivity level by prefecture (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) (other site)
  1. (1) After the earthquake and tsunami, control rods have been inserted immediately in the 11 reactors which were in operation in Miyagi, Fukushima, and Ibaragi Prefectures, automatically suspending power generation.
  2. (2) With respect to TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi and Dai-ni Nuclear Power Stations in Fukushima Prefecture, a Nuclear Emergencies Situation was declared, and evacuations and introduction of emergency measures are undertaken.
  3. (3) Regarding the present situation at TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi and Dai-ni Nuclear Power Plants, please refer to the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (other site).
  4. (4) Concerning the accident and troubles at TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant, Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry changed the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES) provisional rating from Level 4 to Level 5 for some Units, as follows.
     
    - TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant Units 1, 2, and 3:  Level 5 (provisional rating)
    - TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant Unit 4:  Level 3 (provisional rating)
    - TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ni Nuclear Power Plant: Units 1, 2, and 4:  Level 3 (provisional rating)
  5. (5) On April 12, NISA gave a provisional INES rating of Level 7 to the event at the TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant in the aftermath of the Tohoku - Pacific Ocean Earthquake on March 11, 2011, based on the information it had obtained since March 18.

    This new assessment does not mean that the situation in TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station is aggravating. The new assessment is a result of our latest calculation, based on newly obtained data of the total amount of radioactive substances released, in accordance with the IAEA criteria. Moreover, most of the radioactive substances were released during a few days following the accident and the airborne radiation dose has been gradually declining. For example, in Tokyo, its radiation dose has never reached to the level which would affect the human health. It has been declining steadily. The current data shows that it has returned to an approximately normal level. We will continue to radioactive monitoring.

    Compared with the Chernobyl accident, the reasons and the aspects of the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station are different. First, while the reactor itself exploded at Chernobyl, the reactors at the Fukushima automatically shut down and there was no large-scale fire at the site. The release of radioactive substances is limited. The IAEA also points out that the accidents are different in this regard. Secondly, the total amount of radioactive substances released from the TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station at present is estimated to be far less than that of the Chernobyl. Thirdly, there is no casualty by radioactive damage and is no health problem caused by radiation among those residents in the vicinity of the TEPCO's nuclear power station. (more information: Major Differences between the Chernobyl accident and the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station [PDF])

    International institutions such as International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and World Health Organization (WHO) have made objective assessments that the excessive measures such as general travel restriction to Japan are not needed.

  6. (6) On April 17, TEPCO announced the "Roadmap towards Restoration from the Accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station" at the instruction of Prime Minister Naoto Kan. The roadmap aims to bring the levels of radiation into a steady decline in about three months and, in another three to six months, control the release of radioactive materials and significantly suppress radiation levels.
  7. (7) On May 17, TEPCO put together the status of the progress of the "Roadmap towards Restoration from the Accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station". (Current Status of Roadmap as of May 17 (other site))
  8. On July 19, "Roadmap towards Restoration from the Accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station" was revised. ( Points of Progress Status [PDF(264KB)] Current Status [PDF(608KB)] Progress Status [PDF(0.97MB)] )
  9. (8) The Government of Japan has explained the situation to the diplomatic corps in Tokyo and foreign media, and is providing necessary information to the IAEA in a timely manner.
  10. (9) On June 1, the IAEA International Fact-Finding Expert Mission submitted to the Government of Japan the preliminary summary of a report to be completed by the Mission. (Preliminary Summary [PDF])
  11. (10) On June 7, the Government of Japan released a report titled "Report of the Japanese Government to the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety - the Accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations -" to the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety, which is to be held between June 20-24 in Vienna. (This report is available on the web page of the Prime Minister's Office. (other site))
  12. (11) On June 20, a report of the IAEA International Fact-Finding Expert Mission (other site) which visited Japan from May 24 to June 2 was submitted to the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety.

Related Links

1) Government of Japan

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Information on food safety) (other site)

    (Monitoring of radioactive contaminants for agricultural, livestock and fishery products, etc)

  • Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Information on Nuclear Power Plants) (other site)
  • Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (other site)
  • Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Information on water supply and food) (other site)

    (Detection of radioactive materials in tap water, instructions associated with food by Director-General of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters, etc)

  • Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Information on transportation) (other site)
    • Measurement of radiation doses around the Metropolitan Airports (other site)
    • Measurement of radiation doses around the Port of Tokyo and Yokohama (other site)
  • National Institute of Radiological Sciences (Basic facts about radiation exposure, etc) (other site)
  • Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (Press releases) (other site)

2) International organizations

  • Joint FAO-IAEA-WHO statement on food safety issues following the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear emergency (other site)
  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (other site)
    • Situation in Japan (other site)
    • Media Center (other site)
  • International Air Transport Association (IATA) (other site)
    • Press Releases (other site)
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (other site)
    • News Center (other site)
  • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) (other site)
    • News Releases (other site)
  • International Maritime Organization (IMO) (other site)
    • Press Briefings (other site)
  • World Health Organization (WHO) (other site)
    • Japan Nuclear Concerns (other site)
    • Media Center (other site)

3) Others

  • Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) (other site)
    • Status of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Stations after Great East Japan Earthquake (other site)

Information on safety in relation to radioactivity level

  1. (1) Following the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant, some countries and regions have expressed some concern on radioactivity level in Japan.
  2. (2) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been providing the authorities concerned in countries and regions throughout the world with sufficient information on the current state of the nuclear power plant and the measures Japan is taking in relation to the accidents.

Related Information



Related Links

List of Embassies, Consulates and International Organizations in Japan

1. Government of Japan

  • Cabinet Secretariat (other site)
    • (The Reconstruction Design Council in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake)
  • Cabinet Office (other site)
    • Special Headquarters for Measures to Assist the Lives of Disaster Victims (other site)
  • Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (other site)
    • (Information for students and researchers in Japan, etc)
  • Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Information on transportation, etc) (other site)
  • Japan Meteorological Agency (other site)
    • Earthquake Portal (other site)
  • Japan National Tourism Organization ( JNTO ) (other site) (Japan Travel Updates)

2. International organizations

  • United Nation's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA ) (other site)
    • Relief Web
      • Latest Updates, Background Information, etc (other site)

3. Local authorities

  • Hokkaido (other site)
  • Aomori (other site)
  • Miyagi (other site)
  • Iwate (other site)
  • Akita (other site)
  • Fukushima (other site)
  • Tokyo (other site)
  • Ibaraki (other site)
  • Tochigi (other site)
  • Saitama (other site)
  • Gunma (other site)
  • Chiba (other site)
  • Kanagawa (other site)
  • Niigata (other site)

4. Others

  • Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) (other site)

More Information

3.11 Tsunami Debris



 

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The Prime Minister Receives the Report of the U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON) Education Task Force (June 13, 2013)

 

The Abe Administration's Economic Policy ("Abenomics")

  • Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy (June 13, 2013)
  • Industrial Competitiveness Council (June 12, 2013)

>>>more on "Abenomics"

 

Prime Minister Abe’s article in The Wall Street Journal: “Japan’s Commitment to Africa’s Development”

 

A speech by Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae “Japan’s New Sunrise?” (June 6, 2013)

 

The Prime Minister Receives a Courtesy Call from the United States Cherry Blossom Queen (May 28, 2013)

 

A speech by Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae "Japan's Sustainable Growth Strategy" (May 22, 2013)

 

Foreign Minister's Movies (Foreign Minister Kishida Visits Mexico, Peru, Panama and Los Angeles) (May 22, 2013)

 

Tornado in Oklahoma: Release of messages of condolence from Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida (May 21, 2013)

 

Joint Statement:  Japan-U.S. Cyber Dialogue (May 10, 2013)

 

U.S.-Japan Joint High-Level Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation (Media Note) (April 30, 2013)

 

Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette upon Mr. Terry T. Shima, former Executive Director of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) (April 29, 2013)

 

Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette upon Mr. Joseph J. Krakora, Executive Officer of the National Gallery of Art (April 29, 2013)

 

The Prime Minister Receives a Courtesy Call from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S., Gen. Martin E. Dempsey (April 26, 2013)

 

Message of Condolence from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the explosion at the Boston Marathon (April 17, 2013)

 

Message of Condolence from Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida on the explosion at the Boston Marathon (April 17, 2013)

 

Message of Condolence from Ambassador of Japan Kenichiro Sasae on the explosions at the Boston Marathon (April 17, 2013)

 

The Trans-Pacific Partnership

  • Ambassador Marantis's Letter to Ambassador Sasae (April 12, 2013)
  • Ambassador Sasae's Letter to Ambassador Marantis (April 12, 2013)   
    • Motor Vehicle Trade Terms of Reference (attachment)

Ambassador Sasae's Letter to Ambassador Marantis with regard to the Preferential Handling Procedure (PHP) for Imported Vehicles (April 11, 2013)

 

Joint Announcement of the Plan for the Land Returns South of Kadena (April 5, 2013)

 

Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae's Speech at the Brookings Institute "What Lies Ahead for Japan and the United States" (March 22, 2013)

 

Press Conference by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (TPP) (March 15, 2013)

 

Foreign Minister's Movies (Foreign Minister Kishida’s Visit to the United States of America) (February 21-24, 2013)

 

Press Conference by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake (March 11, 2013)

 

Address by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake (March 11, 2013)

 

"Made in New Japan" - Two years after the 2011 disaster, we are building a new future. (Public Relations Office, Government of Japan)

 

Foreign Policy Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida to the 183rd Session of the Diet (February 28, 2013)

 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Visit to the United States

  • Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting (Summary)
    • Joint Statement by the United States and Japan
  • Press Conference by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during His Visit to the United States of America (February 22, 2013)
  • "Japan is Back", Policy Speech by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) (February 23, 2013)
  • Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Visit to the United States (February 21-2, 2013)
  • Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting(Summary)

Japan-U.S. Counter-Terrorism Consultations (February 25, 2013)

 

The Prime Minister Receives a Visit from US Ambassador to Japan, Mr. John Victor Roos (February 12, 2013)

 

Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministerial Telephone Conference (February 3, 2013)

 

Policy Speech by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the 183rd Session of the Diet(January 28, 2013)

 

Signing of the Protocol Amending the Convention between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (January 25, 2013)

 

Foreign Minister Kishida’s Visit to the U.S. (January 18, 2013)

  • Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministerial Meeting (Summary) (January 18, 2013)
  • Remarks of Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton After Their Meeting (US Department of State Website) (January 18, 2013)
  • Foreign Minister Kishidas Meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Kirk (Overview)

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Policy Speech "The Bounty of the Open Seas: Five New Principles for Japanese Diplomacy" (Not Delivered) (January 18, 2013)

 

Reconstruction Promotion Council (January 10, 2013)

 

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida on Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers' telephone conference (January 9, 2013)

 

New Year's Press Conference by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (January 4, 2013)

 

New Year’s Reflection by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (January 1, 2013)

 


 

May 2nd

International Symposium in Washington D.C. “Abductions by North Korea” (at the Japan Information and Culture Center)

October 12th

Welcoming Reception for Kizuna Short Term Dispatch Project hosted by Ambassador Fujisaki and Mrs. Fujisaki

August 3rd

JET Participants Send-off and Japan-US Training and Exchange Program for English Language Teachers (JUSTE) Participants Welcoming Reception hosted by Ambassador Fujisaki

February 21st

A launch of the website of TOMODACHI

November 4th

Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon upon Dr. Stephen Ira Katz, Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon upon Dr. William R. Farrell, Chairman of the National Association of Japan-America Societies

October 3rd

Reception Celebrating the Conferring of the Grand Cordon of the Paulownia Flowers upon Senator Daniel K. Inouye

February 16th

Lecture by Ambassador Fujisaki at Howard University

February 9th

Lecture by Ambassador Fujisaki, "The Future of Asia: Why We Need Each Other," at the University of Virginia

January 25th

Ambassador Fujisaki’s Visit to Marine Corps University

November 3rd

Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star upon Dr. Norman P. Neureiter, Senior Advisor for two Centers at the American Association for the advancement of Science (AAAS)

Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette upon Dr. Thomas S. Elias, the Former Director of the U.S. National Arboretum

October 13th

A Special Exhibition of Oil Paintings by Mr. Pakan Penn

October 6th

The Awards Ceremony of the Minister’s Commendation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in FY2010 toward the Japanese Americans Care Fund

September 21st

The Exhibition and Symposium of “The Japanese Collections at the Library of Congress: Past, Present, and Future”

September 13th

Is Everything That Bad? Changes: Real and Virtual

August 29th

Ambassador Fujisaki’s Visit to Miami

August 27th

Anjo Gakuen High School Wind Orchestra

August 25th

Ambassador Fujisaki’s Visit to San Francisco

Anjo Gakuen High School Wind orchestra - Special Guest Band of the United States Air Force Bankd Summer Concert Series- (August 27th, 2010)

 

August 23th

A vist to the Embassy by Mr. Senichi Hoshino, former Manager of the Chunichi Dragons

July 30th

Pre-Departure Reception for the 24th JET Program Participants

July 26th - 29th

JMSDF Training Squadron <part1>

JMSDF Training Squadron <part2>

July 23rd - 24th

Minister of the Environment Sakihito Ozawa visited Washington, D.C.

July 22nd

Opening Ceremony and Reception for the Japanese Giant Salamander Breeding Center

July 14th

Ambassador’s visit to Orr Elementary School

 

Ambassador Sasae's Speeches


  • A speech by Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae “Japan’s New Sunrise?”

  • A speech by Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae “Japan's Sustainable Growth Strategy”


Employment Opportunity: Cultural Affairs Coordinator at the Japan Information and Culture Center

 

Employment Opportunity: School Program Coordinator at the Japan Information and Culture Center

 

Employment Opportunity: Administrative Assistant in the Congressional Affairs Section


USMJ Alumni

Stay Connected to Japan!

 

 

May 10th

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Minoru Kiuchi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States (New York)

May 8th

Acting U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller Meets with Vice-Minister, Discusses Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

May 2nd

Visit to Japan by Ms. Rose Gottemoeller, Acting U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security

April 18th

The Prime Minister Receives a Courtesy Call from Chairperson of the National League for Democracy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi

April 8th

The Prime Minister Receives a Courtesy Call from an Ice Hockey Team from Portland, Maine

January 23rd

Comment by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on the Adoption of a Resolution by the United Nations Security Council on the Launch of the Missile by North Korea, which it calls a "satellite"

January 23rd

Statement by Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Adoption of a Resolution by the United Nations Security Council on the Launch of the Missile by North Korea, which it calls a "satellite"

January 16th - 19th

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Visit to Southeast Asia

January 9th - 14th

The Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety

 

 

 

 

June 13th

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

June 11th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

June 7th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

June 6th

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

June 4th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

May 30th

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

May 28th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

May 24th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

May 21st

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

May 16th

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

May 14th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

May 9th

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

May 7th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

April 26th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

April 25th

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

April 19th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

April 18th

Press Conference by Assistant Press Secretary Masaru Sato

April 16th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

April 5th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

April 4th

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

March 28th

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

March 26th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

March 22nd

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

March 21st

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

March 19th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

March 15th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

March 14th

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

March 8th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

March 7h

Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy Naoko Saiki

March 5th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

March 1st

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

February 19th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

February 15th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

February 12th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

February 8th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

February 5th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

January 18th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

January 17th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

January 17th

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki

January 15th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

January 10th

Press Conference by the Assistant Press Secretary Masaru Sato

January 9th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

January 8th

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida

 

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