Daily English News
March
March 31, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Raja Pradan
1. The International Atomic Energy Agency says radiation levels twice as high as its criterion for evaluation were detected in a village 40 kilometers from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
2. The government’s nuclear watchdog says it has detected the highest level of radiation yet in seawater near the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
3. Workers are still struggling to resolve the problems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant with the disposal of radioactive water. It’s hindering cooling efforts.
March 30, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Michael Rhys
1. The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says radioactive iodine in excess of 3,300 times the national limit was found in seawater near the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on Tuesday afternoon.
2. France says it will send three more nuclear experts to Japan to help with efforts to remove highly radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
3. Japan will certify the safety of its food exports to the European Union in response to a request to do so.
arch 29, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Mick Corliss
1. Tokyo Electric Power Company says plutonium has been found in soil samples from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
2. Over 28,000 people are dead or missing following a huge earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan’s northeastern coast on March 11th.
March 28, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Raja Pradan
1. At the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant, high radioactive density detected in three turbine buildings may further delay work to restore the cooling systems for the overheated fuel rods.
2. Germany’s anti-nuclear Green Party made major advances in an election on Sunday in a southwestern state with an increasing number of people coming out against nuclear power.
3. Libyan anti-government forces backed by allied air raids are advancing west, threatening Muammar al-Qahdafi’s hometown of Sirte, central Libya.
March 27, 20011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Hirokazu Sakamaki
1. Tokyo Electric Power Company says it has detected radioactive materials 10 million times normal levels in water at the Number 2 reactor complex of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
2. Japanese police say so far 10,633 have been confirmed dead and 16,621 are missing after the March 11th earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan.
3. Scientists say a record 16-meter tsunami hit a coastal town in Miyagi Prefecture on March 11th.
March 26, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Michelle Yamamoto and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai
1. A high level of radioactive iodine 131 has been detected in seawater near Japan’s troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was hit by the March 11th earthquake and tsunami.
2. Ten thousand one hundred fifty one people have now been confirmed dead in a massive earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan. Far more than 17,000 others are missing.
3. Operations by multinational forces against Libyan government troops loyal to Muammar al-Qadhafi have been joined by the Qatari military.
March 25, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. Japanese officials admit it is highly likely that the No.3 reactor of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has been damaged, leading to the leak of high levels of radiation, now being recorded.
2. Japan’s health ministry says radiation above the legal limit has been detected for the first time in a vegetable grown at a research facility in Tokyo.
3. Radiation fears have prompted the European Union to ban imports of food products that may have been contaminated by radiation, unless their safety is guaranteed by the Japanese government.
4. An NHK survey points to inadequate medical care following the March 11th earthquake that led to the deaths of at least 56 hospital patients.
March 24, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. An excess level of radioactive iodine is detected in five prefectures including Tokyo, in the figures of more than three times higher than the government’s safety standards.
2. Now the lights have been turned on inside the control room of No.1 reactor building at the troubled nuclear power plant, TEPCO is now taking measures to reduce pressure inside the units containment vessel.
3. The main artery connecting Tokyo with Japan’s quake-stricken northeast has reopened for the first time since the March 11th disaster.
4. The U.N. secretary general calls for an international review of international nuclear power management.
March 23, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. Japan’s government wants consumers to refrain from eating leafy vegetables such as spinach and cabbage grown in Fukushima Prefecture, where the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is located.
2. The Tokyo Electric Power Company is planning a test run of a cooling pump at that nuclear power plant on Wednesday, in the latest bid to restore cooling functions to reactors there.
3. Japan’s prime minister promises as much information as possible about the problems at that nuclear plant.
4. There are warnings about the possibility of strong aftershocks from the March 11th quake, possibly triggering yet more tsunami.
March 22, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. Work is underway to restore power and cooling systems at the disaster-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
2. The central government asks the authorities of four prefectures to stop shipping spinach because it may contain excess amounts of radioactive materials.
3. The U.N. secretary general says the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant remains very serious and presents a strong warning to the global community.
4. The World Bank estimates the damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake may reach as high as 235 billion dollars.
March 21, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. The Tokyo Electric Power Company ahs resumed work to restore external power to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant as part of its efforts to restore cooling functions.
2. Meanwhile, firefighters at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant finish their second operation to spray water on the No.3 reactor building shortly before 4 AM on Monday.
3. Japan’s science ministry is publishing radiation levels monitored nationwide on its website with the information also available in English, Korean and Chinese.
4. Japan’s Foreign Ministry has received urgent inquiries about nearly 500 foreign nationals who remain unaccounted for.
March 20, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mark Robinson and Ms. Keiko Kitagawa
1. Firefighters ended their 13-hour water spraying operation to cool the No.3 reactor at the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant at 03:40 AM on Sunday.
2. Tokyo Electric Power Company says radiation levels around the compound at its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant are on the decline since water spraying began in earnest on Saturday afternoon.
3. A United Nations agency says there are no medical grounds for restricting international flights to and from Japan after a massive earthquake and subsequent accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
March 19, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Ms. Yuka Matsumoto
1. More than 7,000 deaths have been confirmed in the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan. More than 10,000 others are still missing.
2. Efforts to cool down the No.3 reactor at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant continue. A cooling system for the fuel rod storage pools at the reactor failed, raising the possibility that a large amount of radiation could be released.
3. The yen has been stabilized at the levels of 80 to 81 against the dollar, following a coordinated intervention by the Group of Seven nations.
March 18, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Robert Jefferson
Today we are changing our regular program and bring you update on a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that occurred exactly one week ago today, as well as the latest current situation on a nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture.
March 17, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Robert Jefferson
Today we are changing our regular program and bring you update on a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that occurred on March 11 last Friday, including the current situation on a nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture.
March 16, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Robert Jefferson
Today we are changing our regular program and bring you update on a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that occurred on March 11 last Friday, including the current situation on a nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture.
March 15, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Robert Jefferson
Today we are changing our regular program and bring you update on a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that occurred on March 11. We will also have the current situation on a nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture.
March 14, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Robert Jefferson
Today we change our regular program and bring you update on a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that occurred on March 11 off Japan’s Pacific Ocean coast.
March 13, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mark Robinson and Ms. Keiko Kitagawa
Our news coverage at this hour focuses entirely on a catastrophic earthquake in Japan. Our program has been expanded to 29 minutes from the regular 10 minutes.
March 12, 2011 (2:00 p.m.)
The Meteorological Agency is warning that very high tsunami are expected in the following areas: The Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture, the coast of Iwate Prefecture, the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, the coast of Fukushima Prefecture. The waves can be more than three meters high in some of the areas mentioned. Everyone near the coast must evacuate to a higher ground. The Meteorological Agency is also warning that tsunami are expected in the following areas: the eastern part of the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, the central part of the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, the western part of the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, the coast of Ibaragi Prefecture, the coast of Mie Prefecture, south of Ise Bay, the coast of Kochi Prefecture, the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, the outer ocean coast of eastern Kagoshima Prefecture, the coasts of the Tanegashima and Yakushima Islands, the coast of Amami and Tokari Islands. The waves can be up to two meters high in some of the areas mentioned. Everyone near the coast must evacuate to a higher ground.
March 11, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. Japan’s prime minister admits receiving political donations from a foreigner, but says he has no intention to resign over the matter.
2. As Libyan government forces conduct aerial bombing so as to cut crucial lifelines, NATO members agree authority to establish a no-fly zone over Libyan airspace must come from the U.N.
3. Calls for larg-scale anti-government demonstrations in Saudi Arabia on Friday is drawing global attention as even the slightest unrest in the world’s top oil exporting country could affect the price in crucial oil.
4. Japan’s government pledges funds to help rebuild hospitals and schools destroyed during the U.S.-led war against Iraq.
March 10, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. A U.S. diplomat known as an expert in Japan-U.S. relations will for the second time become head of Japanese affairs at the U.S. State Department after remarks by his predecessor sparks outrage across Japan.
2. As forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi continues their fierce attack on rebels, a diplomatic effort is open in a bid to counter international criticism.
3. Morocco’s King Mohamed has revealed plans to revise the country’s constitution that would reduce his own powers after demonstrations demand political reform.
4. The Japanese executive director of the International Atomic Energy Agency appears to step down after losing a vote to select a new chief.
March 9, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. Rebel forces in Libya tell Muammar al-Qadhafi that if he leaves the country within 72 hours, they will not bring him to justice.
2. The U.N. estimates that more than 200,000 people have left Libya as fighting intensifies between troops supporting Muammar al-Qadhafi and rebel forces.
3. Iranian authorities block attempts by demonstrators to protest Tehran after pro-reform campaigners make on-line appeals for nation-wide rallies.
4. Despite apologies, controversial remarks by a U.S. government official about the people in Okinawa have increased difficulty in relocating a U.S. military base in the prefecture.
March 8, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. NATO launches around the clock air surveillance of Libya to monitor ground movements and air attacks by the country’s military and rebel forces.
2. The worsening turmoil in Libya and abroad in the Middle East causes crude oil prices to rise in Monday trading in New York, where they reach the highest level in about two and a half years.
3. A U.S. State Department official is accused of describing Okinawans as “masters of extortions”, who are trying to make money from the relocation of a U.S. base in their prefecture.
4. Tension rises anew after a Chinese helicopter buzzes a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense destroyer in the East China Sea.
March 7, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Kaori Nimura and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. The search is on for a successor to Japan’s outgoing Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, who resigned for accepting political donations from a foreign resident in violation of the Political Funds Control Law.
2. U.S. officials are concerned about the impact Maehara’s resignation may have on spring negotiations on the planned relocation of a U.S. military base in Okinawa Prefecture.
3. Rebel forces advancing westward from their base in northwestern Libya encounter a fierce counter offensive by forces loyal to Muammar al-Qadhafi.
4. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces will join a multinational disaster rescue drill this month in Southeast Asia as part of plans to increase their activities in U.N. peace-keeping missions.
March 6, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Mark Robinson and Ms. Michelle Yamamoto
1. Fierce fighting continues in Libya. Government forces have shelled cities near the capital Tripoli, while opposition forces are poised to push further west to Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi’s hometown.
2. The planet’s top emitter of greenhouse gases, China, has pledged a big cut in emissions over the next 5 years.
3. Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara says he wants to stay in his post, despite admitting he received illegal donations from a foreign national.
March 5, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Ms. Yuko Matsumoto
1. Japan’s Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara has apologized for receiving donations from a foreign national, which is banned under the political funds control law.
2. In Libya, at least 13 people were killed during anti-government rallies on Friday.
3. China’s Premier Wen Jiabao says the country must secure social stability by easing public discontent about rising prices.
March 4, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. Fierce fighting continues in Libya between supporters and opponents of Muammar al-Qadhafi and the violence is especially intense around the nation’s northeastern oil facilities.
2. The chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court plans to open an official investigation into the possibility that crimes are being committed in Libya.
3. The U.N. Security Council expresses strong concern that a civil war may start again in Cote d’Ivoire and calls on both sides to exercise self-restraint.
4. Japan’s foreign minister offers an official apology to former Australian prisoners of war for their suffering during World War II.
March 3, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. A counterattack by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi is under way in the country’s northeastern region controlled by anti-government forces.
2. As pro-Qadhafi forces also go on an offensive in the country’s western region, large numbers of refugees continue to flee Libya to neighboring Tunisia, while the E.U. decides to more than triple the amount of humanitarian aid.
3. The chief U.S. trade negotiator is expressing his hope that Japan’s government will join a trans-Pacific free trade agreement.
4. Although governments of Japan and Russia remain far apart on the sovereignty of Russian-held islands claimed by Japan, they have agreed to deepen economic cooperation between the two nations.
March 2, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. U.N. member nations vote unanimously to suspend Libya’s membership in the U.N. Human Rights Council because of its human rights violation committed by Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi against its people.
2. As the U.N. increases emergency relief for those who fled Libya to neighboring countries, some NATO members are discussing the establishment of a no-fly zone over the country.
3. The unrest in the Middle East from Libya to Iran is causing crude oil futures to rise in New York.
4. Russia’s military plans to beef up its units on islands off Japan’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, which were occupied soon after World War II.
March 1, 2011 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Hiroko Kitadai and Mr. Robert Jefferson
1. Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi vows to fight to the end as the central parts of the capital Tripoli are guarded by heavily armed security forces and merceneries.
2. World governments are freezing the assets of Qadhafi, his family members, and senior Libyan government officials, while the nation’s crude oil output is estimated to be cut in half.
3. Saudi Arabia’s king is trying to avoid similar unrest in neighboring countries with the 36 billion dollar aid package aimed at young and low income people.
4. Food and clothing manufacturers here in Japan are hiring more foreign workers as part of their effort to boost business performances abroad.